Even More British Slang Words and Phrases
When I first started this series of posts back in 2023, they were originally intended to provide a useful overview into UK (mainly British) slang. US slang is ubiquitous globally due to the pervasive nature of American culture. Hence most people have a good grasp of its nuances. However, the proverbial door does not swing both ways. Hence most people will watch British TV dramas or read popular novels and can be quite bamboozled by some of the phrases that are used. That is what I was trying to address. However, over time this entire enterprise now reads like a some sort of Guy Ritchie film with Colin as the anti-hero. That notwithstanding, hopefully the list of slang phrases below will prove useful to know, if you ever visit the UK or tour around London. As ever I have given an example of their respective use. Feel free to ask questions if anything needs clarifying, or you wish to leave a comment with examples of you’re own national and regional slang.
Arse Over Tit: To fall over, head over heals, in a dramatic manner. “Colin so was Leo Sayer’d (see previous post for definition) last night, he went arse over tit at the Penge Spudulike”.
Bloke: A generic term for a man, usually someone you do not know or someone random. “Who’s that bloke with Colin? He seems a bit suspect”.
Charlie Potato: Very similar to the term Jake the Peanut, in so far that it refers to someone who is over dressed, over confident and trying to project a brash persona. Very common trait found in those who work in the property and used car sales. Can also mean to live large when out on the town. “Me and Colin were out clubbing last night. We were giving it Charlie Potato”.
Dog’s Bollocks: If something is “the dog’s bollocks” then that is actually an endorsement that the said things is good. Clothes, consumer goods, a meal can all be labelled as such. As can musical artists, TV shows and films etc. The phrase derives from small dogs who have large testicles that are prominently and proudly displayed. “Have you seen Colin’s new Tamagotchi? He thinks it’s the dog’s bollocks”.
Greasy Spoon: A cafe or cheap restaurant that provides enjoyable but inherently unhealthy cuisine. Usually variations of the Full English Breakfast. “Oi Colin, on the way back to the office let’s grab a cheeky pint and hit that Greasy Spoon on the corner of Frederick Street”.
Jammy: To be lucky, fortunate, or even charmed. “Blimey, Colin just won a score on the ponies. The jammy sod”.
Khazi: An old-fashioned, informal term for a toilet or outhouse. It originated in 19th-century and is Cockney and Scouse slang, derived from the Italian word casa (house). “I’d give it 10 minutes before you use the khazi. Colin’s just had a clear out”.
Knackered: To be excessively tired and exhausted. It can also means that something is broken or no longer working correctly. The phrase originally applied to the euthanisation of work animals such as horses, when they were old or ill. “I’m knackered after last night’s session at the glee club”. Alternatively, “Colin is well annoyed. He knackered his Tamagotchi when he went arse over tit at the Penge Spudulike”.
Mug: A gullible person. Someone who has been swindled, taken advantage of and is generally naive. “Colin paid £50 for those Pogs. What a mug”.
Munter: A derogatory term for an unattractive person, or someone who is heavily under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs. Hence via substance abuse, one can get “munted”. “Have you clocked Colin’s new squeeze. They’re a total munter”.
Nonce: A sex offender, paedophile, pervert. Is nowadays used as a general insult for anyone who looks “questionable”. “Oi Colin, stop leering at that Doris behind the counter in Greggs. She’s half your age, you nonce”.NB “Doris” is a Cockney term for a woman, sometimes one’s partner.
Off His/Her Tits: To be intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. “That Doris from Greggs went out with Colin last night. She was well off her tits”.
Porkies: Lies. An abridged form of the Cockney rhyming slang phrase, Pork Pies. “Colin’s been telling porkies again. Reckons he’s got the highest score on Space Invaders, down the greasy spoon”.
Rinsed: To be cheated, over charged or otherwise financially exploited. Can also refer to a battle, fight or stand off that ended quickly and definitively. “I see that Doris from Greggs got Colin to take her to Sorrento for a fortnight. He’s getting’ well rinsed”.
Slag: Originally a pejorative term for a sexually active woman, similar to slut. However, in the late seventies, due to the popular UK TV show The Sweeney (a drama about the “Flying Squad” of London’s Metropolitan Police) the term became a broader insult applied to both men and women. Its meaning evolving to mean a worthless or contemptible individual. “Colin, you slag. You knicked the last Kit-Kat from the fridge”.
Slaphead: Someone who is bald or going bald. The term derives from the act of “playfully” slapping someone on their bald spot. “I see Colin is losing his barnet. He’ll be a slaphead by the time he’s 40”.
Slash: To urinate. “Oi Colin, keep an eye on my pint. I’m going for a slash”.
Stitched Up: To be cheated, swindle, set up, framed, left holding the bag and well and truly dobbed in it. “Have you seen the latest pay offer, Colin? We been well stitched up”.
Classic English banter. Allegedly
NB Colin is a completely fictional character and is not real person. Hence he is not being bullied, gaslit or victimised. Sadly, much of so-called UK banter, as show above, is based upon someone being the butt of the joke. In fact some academics have argued that humour is both hierarchical and hectoring in its nature and not necessarily a force for good after all. That however is a blog post for another day. In the meantime, let me re-iterate for those who may be concerned for his mental well being, Colin is not real. Clive on the other hand is.
When I first started this series of posts back in 2023, they were originally intended to provide a useful overview into UK (mainly British) slang. US slang is ubiquitous globally due to the pervasive nature of American culture. Hence most people have a good grasp of its nuances. However, the proverbial door does not swing both ways. Hence most people will watch British TV dramas or read popular novels and can be quite bamboozled by some of the phrases that are used. That is what I was trying to address. However, over time this entire enterprise now reads like a some sort of Guy Ritchie film with Colin as the anti-hero. That notwithstanding, hopefully the list of slang phrases below will prove useful to know, if you ever visit the UK or tour around London. As ever I have given an example of their respective use. Feel free to ask questions if anything needs clarifying, or you wish to leave a comment with examples of you’re own national and regional slang.