Find on Learn English:
Search results for: "British"
Search context: Content, categorized as "British"
blimey
[blimey] or sometimes 'cor blimey'(archaic). An abbreviation of 'God blind me' […]
bloke
[bloke] {n.} any man or sometimes a man in authority such […]
blooming, blummin' (archaic)
[blooming, blummin' (archaic)] euphemism for bloody. Used as an intensifier e.g. […]
blow off
[blow off] {v.}
To fart.
blue
[blue] {n.}
1. Policeman.
2. a tory.
Bo-Peep
[Bo-Peep]
Sleep (rhyming slang).
bobby
[bobby] {n.}
Policeman. After Robert Peel (Home Secretary in 1828).
bod
[bod] {n.}
A male person. Short for body.
bodge
[bodge] {v.} (also botch) To make a mess of or to […]
bog
[bog] {n.}
Toilet
bog off
[bog off] {v.}
Go away (originally RAF slang)
bogroll
[bogroll] {n.}
Toilet paper.
Bogtrotter
[Bogtrotter] {n.}
Derogatory term for an Irishman particularly an Irish peasant.
bollocking
[bollocking] {n.}
A severe telling off.
bollocks
[bollocks] (or ballocks) Vulgar term used for testicles. Used to describe […]
bomb
[bomb] {n.} A large sum of money as in 'to make […]
bonce
[bonce] {n.} Head, crown of the head. Also a large playing […]
booze
[booze] {n.} {v.} As a noun, an alcoholic drink; as a […]
boozer
[boozer] {n.} 1. a pub or bar. 2. Someone who drinks […]
boracic
[boracic] {adj.} without money. From rhyming slang boracic lint = skint […]
bottle
[bottle] {n.} {v.} 1. nerve, courage. 2. Money collected by buskers […]
bounce
[bounce] {v.} {n.} 1. To con someone into believing or doing […]
bouncer
[bouncer] {n.}
Someone employed to eject troublemakers or drunks.
bovver boots
[bovver boots] {n.} Heavy boots, sometimes with a steel toecap, worn […]
bovver boy
[bovver boy] {n.} A youth who deliberately causes or seeks out […]
brass
[brass] {n.}
1. Money.
2. Cheek, nerve.
3. a prostitute.
Bristols
[Bristols] {n.} The female breasts (Cockney rhyming slang, from Bristol bits […]
British Slang
A starting point to explore free video lessons on British slang.
broke
[broke] {adj.}
without money.
See: '[stoney broke]', or just '[stoney]'.
brown bread
[brown bread] {adj.}
Dead (Cockney rhyming slang).
brown-tongue
[brown-tongue] {n.} Sycophant, toady or someone who attempts to curry favour […]
buff
[buff] {adj.} 1. Bare skin, naked as in 'in the buff'. […]
bugger
[bugger] {n.} anal sex but in slang terms can be used […]
bugger about (or around)
[bugger about (or around)] {v.} 1. To fool around or waste […]
bugger all
[bugger all] {n.}
nothing.
bugger off
[bugger off] {v.}
go away.
bum
[bum] {n.} buttocks, anus or both. Not particularly rude. 'Builders' bum' […]
bumf
[bumf] {n.} derogatory reference to official memos or paperwork. Shortened from […]
bumfreezer
[bumfreezer] {n.}
any short jacket but in particular an Eton Jacket.
bumsucker
[bumsucker] {n.} a toady, creep or someone acting in an obsequious […]
bung
[bung] 1. a gratuity or more often a bribe., 2. Throw […]
bunk
[bunk] {v.} 1. To leave inappropriately as in to 'bunk off' […]
butcher's
[butcher's]
Look. Rhyming slang, butcher's hook.
cabbage
[cabbage] {n.} 1. A stupid person or someone with no mental […]
charver or charva
[charver] or [charva] {n.} 1. Sexual intercourse (Polari). 2. A loose […]
Chav
[Chav] {n.} Someone who is, or pretends to be of a […]
chav, chavi or chavvy
[chav, chavi or chavvy] {n.} Child (from the Romany, chavi. Still […]
cheers
[cheers]
a sign of appreciation or acknowledgement, or a drinking toast.
cheesed off
[cheesed off] {adj.}
fed up, disgusted or angry.
chippy
[chippy] {n.}
a carpenter.
clock
[clock] {n.} 1. The face. 2. To spot, notice. 3. To […]
cock
[cock] {n.}
1. Penis.
2. Nonsense.
3. A friend or fellow.
cockup
[cockup] {n.} {v.} as a noun or verb, blunder, mess up […]
codswallop
[codswallop] (archaic) {n.}
Nonsense.
collywobbles
[collywobbles] {n.}
An upset stomach or acute feeling of nervousness.
conk
[conk] {n.} The head or the nose. To strike the head […]
cop
[cop] {n.} 1. A policeman (short for copper). 2. An arrest […]
copper
[copper] {n.}
A policeman.
corker
[corker] {n.}
Someone or something outstanding.
corking
[corking] {adj.}
Outstanding, excellent.
cottage
[cottage] {n.}
A public lavatory.
cottaging
[cottaging] {n.}
Homosexual activity in a public lavatory.
crack
[crack] {n.} 1. A gibe. 2. Someone who excels at something. […]
cracker
[cracker] {n.}
Something or someone of notable ability or quality.
crackers
[crackers] {adj.}
Insane.
darbies
[darbies]
Handcuffs.
debag
[debag] {v.}
To remove someone's trousers by force.
dekko
[dekko]
Look. From the Hindi, dekho.
dick
[dick] {n.}
1. Fellow.
2. Penis.
dip
[dip] {n.}
a pickpocket.
div
[div] {n.}
idiot (prison slang)
do one's nut
[do one's nut] {v.}
Become enraged.
doddle
[doddle] {n.}
Something simple or easy to accomplish.
dodgy
[dodgy] {adj.} Something risky, difficult or dangerous. A 'dodgy deal' for […]
dog
[dog] {n.}
1. A rough or unattractive woman.
2. A fellow.
dog's bollocks
[dog's bollocks] {n.} 1. Anything obvious ("Sticks out like the dog's […]
Done up like a kipper
[Done up like a kipper] {adj.} 1. Beaten up. 2. Fitted […]
Donkey's years
[Donkey's years] {n.} (Donkey's ears) a very long time. In reference […]
doofer
[doofer] {n.}
An unnamed object.
dosser
[dosser] {n.}
Someone who might stay in a dosshouse.
dosshouse
[dosshouse] {n.}
A cheap boarding house frequented by tramps.
duff
[duff] {adj.} 1. broken, not working. 2. To beat, as in […]
earwig
[earwig] {v.}
1. To eavesdrop.
2. To twig (rhyming slang)
eating irons
[eating irons] {n.}
Cutlery.
end away
[end away] {v.}
to have sex (get one's end away).
fag
[fag] {n.}
cigarette.
fag end
[fag end] {n.} the used stub of a cigarette and by […]
fanny
[fanny] {n.}
female external genitalia, a woman's pudendum.
fanny adams
[fanny adams] (Usually preceded by 'sweet' and often abbreviated to F.A., […]
Father Christmas
[Father Christmas] {n.}, {British} The joyful spirit of Christmas; Santa Claus. […]
fence
[fence] {n.}
Someone who deals in stolen property.
filth (the)
[filth (the)] {n.}
The police (derogatory).
fit
[fit] {adj.}
sexually attractive (Afro-Carribean).
fit up
[fit up]
A frame up.
fiver
[fiver] {n.}
five pounds.
flasher
[flasher] {n.}
Someone who indecently exposes oneself.
flick
[flick] {n.}
Motion picture, film. 'The flicks', the cinema.
flog
[flog] {v.}
Sell.
flog a dead horse
[flog a dead horse] {v.} 1. To continue talking about a […]
flutter
[flutter] {v.}
(To have a flutter) To place a wager.
fly
[fly] {adj.}
Quick witted, clever.
fork out
[fork out] {v.}
To pay out, usually with some reluctance.
French letter
[French letter] {n.}
Condom.
frig
[frig] {v.} 1.(Taboo) To masturbate. 2. When followed by 'around' or […]
frigging
[frigging] {n.} 1. The act of masturbating. 2. Used as an […]
Frog
[Frog] {n.}
Derogatory term for a Frenchman.
fuzz (the)
[fuzz (the)] {n.}
The police.
gaff
[gaff] {n.}
House or flat.
gaffer
[gaffer] {n.}
Boss, foreman or employer.
gander
[gander] {v.} Usually preceded by 'have a' or 'take a'. To […]
gash
[gash] {adj.} 1. Surplus to requirements, unnecessary. 2. Derogatory term used […]
gassed
[gassed] {adj.}
Drunk.
geezer
[geezer] {n.}
(informal) Man. Particularly an old one.
get
[get] {adj.}
Variant of git.
get going
[get going] {v.}, {informal} 1. To excite; stir up and make […]
git
[git] {adj.}
incompetent, stupid, annoying, or childish person.
go down
[go down] {v.}
To go to prison.
gob
[gob] {n.}
1. Mouth
2. To spit.
3. Spittle.
gobshite
[gobshite] {n.}
(Taboo) A stupid or despicable person.
gobsmacked
[gobsmacked] {adj.} flabbergasted, dumbfounded, astounded, speechless. Possibly either from the gesture […]
gogglebox
[gogglebox] {n.}
Television.
gong
[gong] {n.}
A medal. Usually a military one.
goolies
[goolies] {n.}
The male genitals and in particular the testicles.
goose
[goose] {v.}
To grab someone's behind in a playful fashion.
grand
[grand] {n.}
£1000
grot
[grot] {n.}
Rubbish or dirt.
guff
[guff] {n.} 1. Ridiculous talk. Nonsense. 2. Flatulence. Probably from the […]
half-inch
[half-inch] {v.}
to steal (rhyming slang for 'pinch')
hampton
[hampton] {n.} Penis (rhyming slang from, Hampton Wick = prick; and […]
handbags
[handbags] {n.} a harmless fight especially between two women. (from "handbags […]
hard cheese
[hard cheese] {n.}
Bad luck.
hawk
[hawk] {v.}
To spit.
head
[head] {n.} 1. Lavatory (nautical slang) 2. Drug user. Sometimes preceded […]
headbang
[headbang] {v.} To nod or shake one's head violently to rock […]
headbanger
[headbanger] {n.} One who headbangs or a fan of heavy rock […]
heavy
[heavy] {n.} 1. The use or threat of violence. 2. Someone […]
helmet
[helmet] {n.}
The glans of the penis.
honk
[honk] {n.}
Vomit.
hook
[hook] {v.} Steal. Possibly from the act of 'fishing' for items […]
hook it
[hook it] {v.}
To run away quickly.
hooky or hookey
[hooky or hookey] {n.} 1. Something that is stolen (probably from […]
hooter
[hooter] {n.}
Nose.
hump
[hump] {v.} 1. To carry or heave. 2. To have sexual […]
I'm all right, Jack
[I'm all right, Jack] A remark, often directed at another, indicating […]
idiot box
[idiot box] {n.}
Television.
inside
[inside] {adj.}
In or into prison.
Interesting English Lessons
Learn British English online with Linguaspectrum (~100 lessons). Check an example […]
ivories
[ivories] {n.} 1. Teeth. 2. The keys of a piano. 3. […]
Jack the lad
[Jack the lad] {n.} A young man who is regarded as […]
jack up
[jack up] {v.}
Inject an illegal drug.
jacksy (or jacksie)
[jacksy (or jacksie)] {n.}
The buttocks or anus.
jag
[jag] {adj.} {n.} 1. A drug taking, or sometimes drinking, binge. […]
jammy
[jammy] {adj.}
1. Lucky.
2. Pleasant or desirable.
jerry
[jerry] {n.}
A chamber pot.
Jerry
[Jerry] {n.}
A German or German soldier.
jessie
[jessie] {n.} An effeminate man or one that is weak or […]
jissom
[jissom] {n.}
semen (taboo).
Jock
[Jock]
word or term of address for a Scot.
Joe Bloggs
[Joe Bloggs] {n.}
A man who is average, typical or unremarkable.
Joe Soap
[Joe Soap] {n.}
An idiot, stooge or scapegoat.
John Thomas
[John Thomas] {n.}
Penis.
Johnny
[Johnny] {n.}
Condom. Sometimes also a 'Johnny bag' or 'rubber Johnny'.
josser
[josser] {n.}
A cretin or simpleton.
jump
[jump] {n.} {v.}
As a noun or verb, sexual intercourse.
kip
[kip] {n.} 1. Sleep, nap 2. Bed or lodging 3. Brothel […]
knackered
[knackered] {adj.}
1. Exhausted, tired.
2. Broken, beyond all usefulness.
knackers
[knackers] {n.}
vulgar name for testicles.
knees up
[knees up] {n.}
A lively party or dance.
knob
[knob] {n.} 1. Penis. 2. (of a man) To have sexual […]
knob jockey
[knob jockey] {adj.} homosexual (to ride the penis like a jockey […]
knob-end
[knob-end] {n.}
an idiot, or tip of penis (see [bell-end]).
knobhead
[knobhead] {n.}
a stupid, irritating person.
knockers
[knockers] {n.}
Breasts.
knocking shop
[knocking shop] {n.}
Brothel.
know one's onions
[know one's onions] {v.}
To be well acquainted with a subject.
lag
[lag] {n.}
Convict, particularly a long serving one (an old lag).
lash
[lash] {v.} {n.}
1. Urinate.
2. Alcohol.
lashed
[lashed] {adj.} very inebriated. Also 'on the lash' meaning to go […]
laughing gear
[laughing gear] {n.}
Mouth.
lay hold of
[lay hold of] {v. phr.} 1. To take hold of; grasp; […]
Learning English - Slang
Contemporary English and American slang with explanation and examples from […]
local
[local] {n.}
A public house close to one's home.
lolly
[lolly] {n.}
money.
loo
[loo] {n.}
lavatory.
manky
[manky] {adj.}
dirty, filthy. (Polari).
marbles
[marbles] {n.}
Wits. As in, to lose one's marbles.
mare
[mare] {n.}
Woman (derogatory).
mark
[mark] {n.}
A suitable victim for a con or swindle.
matelot
[matelot] {n.}
Sailor (from the French).
meat and two veg
[meat and two veg] {n.} Literally a traditional meal consisting of […]
mental
[mental] {adj.}
Crazy or insane.
Mick
[Mick] {n.}
An Irishman (derogatory).
miffed
[miffed] {adj.}
Upset or offended.
milk run
[milk run] {n.}
A 'safe' mission or patrol.
minge
[minge] {n.}
Vagina
minger
[minger] {n.}
Someone who smells.
minted
[minted] {adj.}
Wealthy.
mizzle
[mizzle] {v.}
Decamp.
moggy
[moggy] {n.}
Cat.
moke
[moke] {n.}
Donkey.
monged (out)
[monged (out)] {adj.}
Severely drunk/high.
moniker or monicker
[moniker or monicker] {n.}
Name, nickname, signature or mark.
monkey
[monkey] {n.}
£500.
mooch
[mooch] {v.}
Loiter or wander aimlessly, skulk.
moolah
[moolah] {n.}
Money.
moon
[moon] {v.}
To expose one's backside (from Old English, mona).
moony
[moony]
Crazy or foolish. {adj.}
muck about
[muck about] {v.}
Waste time. Interfere with.
muck in
[muck in] {v.}
Share a duty or workload.
mucker
[mucker] {n.}
Mate, pal.
mufti
[mufti] {n.} Civilian dress worn by someone who normally wears a […]
mug
[mug] {n.}
1. Face.
2. A gullible or easily swindled person.
munta
[munta] {n.}
Ugly person.
mush
[mush] {n.} 1. Face or mouth. 2. Familiar term of address. […]
naff
[naff] {adj.} Inferior or in poor taste. Also used as sentence […]
nark
[nark] {n.} {v.} 1. As a verb or noun; spy or […]
ned
[ned] {n.} (Scottish) a lout, a drunken brawling fellow, a tough. […]
nick
[nick] {v.} 1. Steal. 2. Police Station or prison. 3. To […]
nicked
[nicked] {adj.}
Arrested or stolen.
nicker
[nicker] {n.}
Pound sterling.
nob
[nob] {n.}
1. Person of high social standing.
2. Head.
nobble
[nobble]
Disable (particularly a racehorse).
nod out
[nod out] {v.}
To lapse into a drug induced stupour.
nonce
[nonce] {n.}
Sex offender, most commonly a child molester. (Prison slang)
nookie or nooky
[nookie] or [nooky] {n.}
Sexual intercourse.
nose rag
[nose rag] {n.}
Handkerchief.
nosh
[nosh] {n.} {v.}
1. Food.
2. To eat.
nosh up
[nosh up] {n.}
A feast or large, satisfying meal.
numpty
[numpty] {adj.}
Incompetent or unwise person.
nut
[nut] {n.}
1. Head.
2. Eccentric person.
nutcase
[nutcase] {n.}
An insane person.
nuthouse
[nuthouse] {n.}
A lunatic asylum.
nutmeg
[nutmeg] {v.} In association football, to pass the ball between an […]
nuts or nutty
[nuts or nutty] {adj.}
Crazy or insane.
nutter
[nutter] {n.}
Insane person.
odds and sods
[odds and sods] {n.} Substitute for '[odds and ends]'. Miscellaneous items […]
off one's head (or out of one's head)
[off one's head (or out of one's head)] {adj.} Mad or […]
off one's nut
[off one's nut] {adj.}
Crazy or foolish.
off the hook
[off the hook] {adj.}
Free from obligation or danger.
oik
[oik] {n.}
Someone of a low social standing (derogatory).
old bill, the old bill
[old bill] or [the old bill] {n.} A policeman or the […]
old boy
[old boy] or [old chap] {n.}, {chiefly British} One of the […]
on the piss
[on the piss] {adj.}
Getting drunk, drinking alcohol.
one's head off
[one's head off] {adv.} Loud or excessively. "I laughed my head […]
packet
[packet] {n.} 1. A large sum of money (earn a packet). […]
paddy
[paddy]
a fit of temper.
Paddy
[Paddy] {n.}
(capitalised) An Irishman (derogatory).
Paki
[Paki] {n.} (Derogatory, offensive) A Pakistani or sometimes used to loosely […]
Paki-bashing
[Paki-bashing] {n.}
Unprovoked attacks on Pakastanis living in Britain.
pansy
[pansy] {n.}
An effeminite or homosexual male.
paste
[paste] {v.} To hit, punch or beat soundly. From a 19th […]
pasting
[pasting] {n.}
A sound thrashing or heavy defeat.
penny-dreadful
[penny-dreadful] {n.}
A cheap, sensationalist magazine.
pennyboy
[pennyboy] {n.} A low paid person, employed to carry out menial […]
phiz or phizog
[phiz or phizog] {n.} The face (from a 17th century colloquial […]
pickled
[pickled] {adj.}
Drunk.
pie-eyed
[pie-eyed] {adj.}
Drunk.
pig
[pig] {n.}
(Derogatory, offensive) Policeman.
pig's ear
[pig's ear] {n.} 1. Beer (Cockney rhyming slang). 2. Something that […]
pikey
[pikey] {n.} Pejorative term used, mainly in England to refer to […]
pillock
[pillock] {n.}
Stupid or annoying person.
pinch
[pinch] {n.} {v.} 1. (verb) Steal or take without asking. 2. […]
pissed, pissed up
[pissed, pissed up] {adj.}
Drunk.
plastered
[plastered] {adj.}
Extremely drunk.
plonker
[plonker] {n.} 1. Something large or substantial (Mid 19th C). 2. […]
pony
[pony] {n.}
£25 (18th C).
porkies
[porkies] {n.}
Lies (from the Cockney rhyming slang pork pies)
Pronunciation from BBC Learning English
A complete series of videos and activities to help you improve […]
punt
[punt] {v.} 1. To gamble, wager or take a chance. 2. […]
punter
[punter] {n.} 1. Customer, patron. 2. Gambler (one who takes a […]
queer as a clockwork orange
[queer as a clockwork orange] {adj.} 1. Very odd indeed. 2. […]
queer someone's pitch
[queer someone's pitch] {v.} 1. Take the pitch of another street […]
Queer Street
[Queer Street] {n.}
A difficult or odd situation (up Queer Street).
quim
[quim] {n.} Vagina (possibly a play on the Celtic word for […]
Richard the Third
[Richard the Third] {n.} A piece of excrement (rhyming slang Richard […]
ring
[ring] {n.}
Anal sphincter
ringburner
[ringburner] {n.}
1. A curry.
2. Diarrhoea or painful defecation.
rozzer
[rozzer] {n.}
Policeman.
safe
[safe]
An all purpose term of approval.
savvy
[savvy] {n.}
Knowledge, understanding (from the French, savoir).
scally
[scally] {n.}
A hooligan youth (Scouse), short for scallywag.
scarper
[scarper] {v.} Run away. Sometimes claimed to be rhyming slang: Scapa […]
Scouser
[Scouser] {n.}
Someone from Liverpool.
scrote
[scrote] {n.}
Term of abuse, from scrotum.
scrubber
[scrubber] {n.} In Britain, a promiscuous woman; in Ireland, a common […]
see a man about a dog
[see a man about a dog] {v.} 1. Attend a secret […]
shag
[shag] {n.}
Sexual intercourse.
shagged
[shagged] {adj.} 1. The past historic of shag. 2. Extremely tired […]
shiner
[shiner] {n.}
Black eye.
shit-faced
[shit-faced] {adj.}
Drunk.
shitehawk
[shitehawk] {n.}
Someone of little worth, originally military slang.
skanky
[skanky] {adj.}
Dirty, particularly of a marijuana pipe.
skint
[skint] {adj.}
Without money.
slag
[slag] {adj.} 1. Worthless or insignificant person. 2. Promiscuous woman or […]
slag off
[slag off] {n.} {v.}
A verbal attack. To criticise or slander.
slap-head
[slap-head] {n.} {adj.}
A bald man.
slapper
[slapper] {n.}
Promiscuous woman or prostitute.
slash
[slash] {v.}
Urinate, urination.
sling one's hook
[sling one's hook] {v.}
Go away.
snog
[snog] {n.} French kiss, or any prolonged physical intimacy without undressing […]
sod
[sod] {n.}
Annoying person or thing (from sodomite).
sod off
[sod off]
"Go away".
spawny
[spawny] {adj.}
Lucky (possibly from the Scottish game, Spawnie).
spunk
[spunk] {v.} {n.}
1. Semen, ejaculate.
2. Courage, bravery.
stand for
[stand for] {v.} 1. To be a sign of; make you […]
steaming
[steaming] {adj.} 1. Extremely drunk. 2. An intensifier, e.g. "You steaming […]
stuffed
[stuffed] 1. Sexual intercourse (e.g. "get stuffed") 2. Used negatively to […]
tad
[tad]
a little bit
take the mickey
[take the mickey] {v.}
To tease or mock.
take the piss (out of)
[take the piss (out of)] {v.}
To mock.
tart
[tart] {n.} Commonly a prostitute or term of abuse but also […]
tenner
[tenner] {n.}
Ten pounds.
to a degree
[to a degree] {adv. phr.} 1. {Chiefly British} Very; to a […]
to be chuffed
[to be chuffed] {v.}
to be very pleased about something.
toff
[toff] {n.}
Posh person
ton
[ton] {n.} 1. A large unspecified amount (18th C). 2. £100 […]
too ---- by half
[too ---- by half] {adj.} ({princ. British}) Much too; excessively. * […]
tosh
[tosh] {n.}
Nonsense
tosser
[tosser] {n.} 1. Someone who masturbates (to toss off). 2. Someone […]
tosspot
[tosspot] {n.}
Drunkard or habitual drinker (from tossing pots of ale)
tube
[tube] {n.} 1. The London Underground (19th C. Originally 'Tuppeny tube'). […]
twat
[twat] {n.}
1. Vagina.
2. Term of abuse (from 1.).
wag off
[wag off] {v.}
Skyve or play truant.
wank
[wank] {n.} {v.}
1. Masturbation or to masturbate.
2. Inferior.
wanker
[wanker] {n.} 1. Someone who masturbates. 2. Abusive term (from 1.), […]
wankered
[wankered] {adj.}
1. Very drunk.
2. Exhausted.
wanking spanner(s)
[wanking spanner(s)] {n.}
Hand(s).
warts and all
[warts and all] {adj.} Including all negative characteristics (from a reported […]
whizz
[whizz] {n.} 1. Urination. 2. Amphetamine Sulphate (also known as speed; […]
willy
[willy] {n.}
Penis (hypocorism).
willy-waving
[willy-waving] {v.}
Acting in an excessively macho fashion.
wind up
[wind up] {v.}
to tease, irritate, annoy, anger