The 40 Quirkiest British Slang Words Every American Should Know
Every American will want to talk like a Brit after reading these.
Whether you’re keeping up with all the drama surrounding the royal family or binging shows like Fleabag and Peaky Blinders, you’ve undoubtedly run across the weird and wacky words that make up British slang. While the USA has "bae" and "lit," the UK uses "bloke" and "legless." In fact, the slang words between the two countries can be so divergent that it’s been quipped that England and America are two nations separated by a common language. (Do you think Meaghan Markle had a steep learning curve for British slang when she first hopped the pond?)
If you don’t know the difference between “being pissed” and “taking the piss,” can’t tell what separates being "miffed" from being "chuffed," or have never had occasion to shout “scrummy!” after a meal, sit down for a chin wag with us and we’ll sort it all out for you. When you’ll done, you’ll have lots of new ways to call people drunk, stupid, or attractive. (On a good night, you can use all three.) Take these words back to the pub with you, but make sure you use them wisely: There’s a fine line between looking like a gormless wazzock or becoming a proper ledge.
Bagsy
Shouting bagsy is the equivalent of claiming shotgun on the front seat or dibs on the last cupcake. Do not violate the rules of bagsy.
Bloke
Just like the quintessentially American dude, bloke is the stereotypical way of referring to a British man. This word actually dates back to circa-1829 though!
Bog Roll
Head to the loo and you'll hopefully find a bog roll, a.k.a. toilet paper. If you've got to go, you can also ask for the bog, lavatory, or just plain old lave.
Botched
This one's occasionally used stateside, but botched equates to messed up or poorly done. Don't get it confused with the similar-sounding "bodged" — that adjective actually means improvised.
Budge Up
Take a ride on the Tube and hopefully no one tells you budge up, i.e., move over. (Manspreading isn't cool, no matter which country you're in.)
Cheesed Off
Cheese the food is great. Cheesed off the feeling? Not so much. This one's a synonym for annoyed or displeased.
Chin Wag
Do you have time to sit for a chin wag? That means a friendly conversation.
Chips
If you order fish and chips, don't expect to receive crunchy Lays on the side. In an eternally confusing switcheroo, Brits call French fries "chips" and their potato chips "crisps."
Chockablock
This one's just fun to say. The sidewalk outside of the Lindo Wing was chockablock — or full — of reporters during the birth of the royal baby.
Chuffed
We are quite chuffed, meaning pleased or delighted, to bring you all of these delightful British words and sayings.
Codswallop
Calling something a load of codswallop is the equivalent of dubbing it nonsense. The British tabloids calling out Kate Middleton's fingers for being the same length? Codswallop!
Dishy
This one basically means hot or good-looking. Suggested alternate definition: David Beckham.
Dodgy
American kiddos use the word sus to mean suspicious; back in the day, we said "sketchy." Sub in dodgy to describe something as evasive or questionable the British way.
Dosh
Benjamins and bucks describe U.S. currency. Refer to pounds as dosh or bread when you're paying up during your U.K. trip.
Fit
Fit doesn't necessarily mean hitting the gym, although it can help — it's a way of saying someone is attractive or hot. David Beckham? So fit!
Gormless
You don't want to be the gormless American when you're traveling abroad — it means foolish or lacking intelligence.
Gutted
Use "gutted" when the word "sad" just isn't enough. We were gutted when found out there won't be a third season of Fleabag!
Her Majesty's Pleasure
It seems like it'd be an honor to serve at Her Majesty's pleasure, but it's not; it means to serve time in prison, the way we'd say "go up the river."
Kip
Jet lag got you feeling groggy? You'll want to head for the kip (your bed) ASAP. You can also use it as a verb meaning to sleep or nap.
Knackered
Similarly, knackered is the colloquial way of saying tired. Example: We bet the Duchess of Cambridge is feeling especially knackered these days with three kids running around.
Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
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