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British slang is a blend of history, humour, and culture, rich with quirky phrases that paint a colourful picture of everyday life. With its curious expressions and peculiar vocabulary, British English has plenty of phrases that leave Americans scratching their heads. Which of these are new to you?
1. “That’s pants.”
No, we’re not talking about trousers. When Brits say, “That’s pants,” they mean something is disappointing, rubbish, or just plain awful. It’s a wonderfully succinct way of expressing frustration.
2. “I’m knackered.”
After a long day, a Brit might collapse on the sofa and say, “I’m absolutely knackered.” “Knackered” simply means you’re exhausted. Try using this next time you’ve run up a few flights of stairs or binge-watched three seasons of The Crown in a single night.
3. “It’s all gone pear-shaped.”
What do Brits have against pears? Not a clue. But when something goes wrong, it’s “gone pear-shaped.” A disastrous recipe, a decorating disaster, or a missed flight—all of these things have “gone pear-shaped.”
4. “Bob’s your uncle.”
A phrase that’s baffled people for centuries, “Bob’s your uncle” is what you say when everything’s sorted, quick and easy. As in, “Just plug it in, press the button, and Bob’s your uncle!” It originated in 1887 when British Prime Minister Lord Salisbury appointed his nephew Arthur James Balfour as the Minister of Ireland. Balfour referred to the prime minister as “Uncle Bob.”
5. “I’ll give you a bell.”
This isn’t a generous offer of a small, chiming instrument. It’s just the British way of saying, “I’ll call you.” A quick “I’ll give you a bell” tells your mate you’ll ring them up later.
6. “Fancy a cuppa?”
If you’re ever in Britain, you’ll quickly discover that tea is the answer to nearly everything. “Fancy a cuppa?” is code for “Would you like a cup of tea?”—and, yes, the correct answer is always “yes.”
7. “Having a chinwag.”
While this might sound like an obscure exercise or even an insult, “having a chinwag” is just a friendly chat. “Fancy a chinwag?” means “Shall we have a chat?”
8. “I’m skint.”
To be “skint” means to be completely broke. If a Brit is low on cash, they might say, “I’d love to go out, but I’m skint.” Another term is “I’m brassic” This comes from rhyming slang in which "boracic" is short for "boracic lint," which means "skint"
9. “Bits and bobs.”
To the British, “bits and bobs” are the little odds and ends you have lying around. Loose change, hair ties, or the entire contents of a junk drawer could all be described as “bits and bobs.” It’s really just another way of saying “random stuff.”
10. “I’m absolutely chuffed.”
To be “chuffed” means you’re really pleased, and “chuffed to bits” means you’re delighted. Brits will tell you they’re chuffed when they get good news or manage to catch the last train.
11. “It’s a doddle.”
“It’s a doddle” means something is easy, a piece of cake. If a Brit is showing you how to make a cup of tea or tackle the Tube, they might say, “See? It’s a doddle.”
12. “I’m gutted.”
“Gutted” means you’re deeply disappointed. If your team loses or your favourite pub closes, you’d be “gutted.” It sounds drastic, but it’s a go-to word for conveying sincere disappointment.
So, next time you’re chatting with a Brit and they say they’re “knackered” or “gutted,” remember, they’re not in need of medical attention—just a good old-fashioned British cuppa!