", A British axiom that boils down to the idea that: "If anything can go wrong, then it definitely will go wrong. This cheery phrase is widely believed to originate from Northern factory workers around the time of the industrial revolution. Pip-pip should not be confused with ta-ta, toodle-oo, toodle-pip, or any other largely British modes of saying good-bye., Well, of course, you may say that, having deposited female and suitcase at their destination, old Freddie should have uttered a brief, courteous "Pip-pip!" This slang is used when the plans fall apart. Our job is to extract fun from any aspect of language possible, and todays victim happens to be the so-admired British accent. This is commonly used as a greeting that doesn't always need a response. "Be careful when you're driving -- it's a pea-souper out there.". "Don't get caught, or you'll end up in the Nick!". Other English words which probably come from baby-talk are mama, nanny, and cockyolly bird (a pet name for any small bird). Something that is "long" is probably also annoying or aggravating. "What are you up to this weekend? ", "We should've taken the other route. Scroll down for Bored Panda's interview with Dr. David Britain, Professor of Modern English Linguistics at the University of Bern in Switzerland. Oh, 'wanker'. As a result, "pinch punch, first of the month" was a way of warding off witches and bad luck for the near future. Chew the fat / Shoot the s**t. These two expressions might be the grossest and funniest on this list. Marvin played guitar in Cliff Richard's backing band in the 1960s. While the English say "to have a frog in one's throat," the French prefer to say they "have a cat in the throat." 13. Sure, Shakespeare was British, but modern-day Brits are decidedly less wordy. "I'm trying to flog my old sofa. Nowadays, it's mostly a way for kids to pull pranks on their friends. And nanny, notwithstanding her chuntering, as John said, made him a good wife, and he declared that he had never been so happy in his life, for he had no care but to do as Nanny bid him. Anne Bowman, Esperanza, or, The Home of the Wanderers, 1855, Definition - affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, cute, or quaint. Or, if you're just an aspiring Anglophile looking to expand your lingo, take a gander at our list of British slang words to start incorporating into your everyday vocabulary. 9. When they were working on the factory floor, employees had to wear hard clogs to protect their feet. Since then, the phrase has evolved and refers to something at the "height of cool. Here are some of our favourites. The correct answer is "we never drop them", because we've all seen Countdown. 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. O it is a sweet thing ay to be whinging, and crying, and seeking about Christ's Pantry Doors, and to hold ay an Eye upon Christ when he goes into the House of Wine, into His Fathers fair Luckie Wine-Celler where there are many Wines, and bout in at Christ's back. Samuel Rutherford, Christs Napkin, 1660, As is the case with many of the other Britishisms on this list, the tired or exhausted sense of knackered is fairly recent, in use only since the latter portion of the 20th century. This could be due to the lengths that the person will have to go to in order to complete the task. Meaning: to make fun of someone, to tease them a lot. We have sent an email to the address you provided with an activation link. 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. Something that takes a lot of effort and probably isn't going to be worth all of the effort, either, could be described as "long." That's minging.". Then listen to the master: Karl Pilkington. The examples used vary from Dick Van Dyke doing his excrutiatingly awful Cockney stuff in Mary Poppins to something like broad Yorkshire/Geordie/ Manc/Scouse delete where applicable. It works. ", "Yeah, he's been swotting like mad for his Spanish exam. Sailors would blow down a pipe to their recipient, where a whistle at the end of the pipe would sound to spark attention. Ta means thank you, or a quick appreciation of something. Generally, " the British took a French word and re-pronounced it according to English spelling rules, while Americans preferred a pronunciation that sounded more French, even if the word is still heavily Anglicized." Interestingly, in Britain a lot of the American pronunciations are creeping into everyday usage. It comes easier after a few tries. If you're going to have a roast, have the full Monty! Others believe the word is a contraction of the 17th century phrase "by our lady," and is blasphemous. When someone is speaking on and on about nothing in particular. To run away from something, usually a bad situation or trouble. ", Similar to "nerd" or "geek" but less derogatory -- someone that takes academic study very seriously might be described as a "swot. Going "the fully Monty" meant purchasing a full three-piece suit, a shirt, and all of the trimmings. Schoolkids might call "bagsy" on items from their friends' pack lunches, like an apple or a cereal bar, that the friend isn't going to eat. And theres really no such thing as a British accent. A mate will share a pint with you down the pub, help you move flats, tell you if your bums too big for that pair of jeans and definitely give you an earful when you make the silly decision go back to your old ex for what must be the sixth time already. 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. Curly Wurly. You might buy a "round" of drinks for your friends at the pub, in the understanding that they will each buy you a drink as part of their "rounds" later on. Just your bog-standard dorm, really.". British refers to the entire United Kingdom, which consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Jonas enjoys writing articles ranging from serious topics like politics and social issues to more lighthearted things like art, pop culture, and nature. 33. Words and phrases Scots struggle to say aloud (apparently): Carl. This classic phrase is another way of telling someone that their opinion is not appreciated in the given scenario. For example, you might ask "Do you fancy some dinner?". But at the end of the day, its just an accent like any other accent, and whether you find it ugly or attractive, its based on your own personal idiosyncrasies. "Quid" is British slang for "pounds," eg, "five quid" means 5. The Word 'Only' Some people consider "bloody" offensive (the origins of the word are widely disputed, so we can't be sure why) and it was considered a profanity until the mid-20th century. For example, if the tape has come off the handlebars on your bike, dont go to a professional bike repair shop and pay through the nose for the application of expensive bike tape by a man who knows what hes doing perish the thought! (Closed), I Make Micro Crochet Toys That Fit In A Tiny Glass Bottle (35 Pics). 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Mate. ", "He's obsessed with anything that happens on this street. Do you know these British insults, slangs and phrases? Don't worry there aren't two forms of Brit currency. When something looks a bit cheap or poorly made. ", When someone makes a great speech while skirting around a subject or saying little of any value, you might say that they're talking "waffle," or that they're "waffling.". Squirrel just isn't an easy word to say. If someone is fit, they're looking good. Cockney rhyming slang for "knackered," if you're "cream crackered" then you're incredibly tired. "What's in that sandwich? ), 26 Aug. 1987, Definition - to complain fretfully: whine. Derived from "mint condition," which refers to something pre-owned that retains its pristine condition, although something that's just "mint" doesn't have to be pre-owned. Its one of the things that most girls find attractive in a guy. The term comes from the Scottish slang word "ming," meaning faeces. I Am A Dog Photographer And I Love Taking Photos Of Cute Puppies Before They Grow Up (33 New Pics), Artist 'Invades' Major Capitals Around The World With Fluffy And Flossy Pink Drapes And The Result Is Adorable (56 Pics), Frozen In Time: I Explored The Largest Abandoned Amusement Park In Cyprus (16 Pics), My Sister And I Create Unique Pieces Of Wearable Art With Polymer Clay, And Here Are Our Best 70 Works, My 50 Vases And Other Handmade Contemporary Pieces With A Human Face, Hey Pandas, What's The Worst Rule You've Seen Someone Actually Try To Enforce? Mindaugas Baliauskas. Someone that's "on the pull" has gone out, usually on a night out, with the intention of attracting a sexual partner. ", "Joe's children are so cheeky -- they tied my shoelaces together last week!". Ibuprofen. Hot. Its been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes. In parts of the country, the accent becomes incredibly similar to the Northern Irish one and it becomes hard to tell apart. Ahh good ol Blighty or Britain, as you might know it the little island anchored in the North Atlantic that is renowned for its great comedy and rich tapestry of accents. What's the Difference Between Britain, Great Britain, and the UK? Its a way of life. - Okay, sure. 13. "Stop being such a wind-up merchant and be serious for one second! Yup, Brits are far more likely to describe friends as mates because the word friend seems a bit naff (tacky). The phrase is reportedly old slang from the Royal Air Force and was used to described awry expeditions and flights. So, if you're "ready for the knacker's yard," you're exhausted beyond relief. "Over-egging the pudding" means embellishing or over-doing something to the extent that it's detrimental to the finished product. Everyone knows that Brits love tea, but nothing can prepare you for the ferocity of their addiction to the drink. This like presenting a few southern US phrases as the American accent. "Faff" comes from the 17th century word "faffle," which means to flap about in the wind. "Well, this has all gone a bit pear-shaped.". To "pull a blinder" involves achieving something difficult faultlessly and skilfully. A person who has done something great this is s truncation of legend. "If it all works out as planned, he'll be quids in.". 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. This second theory has been disproved, however, by the slang's documentation predating the popularity of the phrase "by our lady.". How different are these two versions of English, actually? This is probably how the term came about. Clean your trainers (sneakers). This phrase became mainstream in the USA in the 1920s despite its British origins, but its popularity in the States has dwindled since the turn of the century. Short for 'brother', this London street stand is used to refer to a friend. "We get it -- you've injured yourself. This colloquialism might be said by someone that has the situation under control. You have to cut the "g" sound short and emphasize the "day.". Perfectly acceptable contraction, like "can't", "won't", "don't", etc. Here's a video to help out. "Goodness, you're full of beans this morning!". Britain, like America, has their dialects and accents. 40 Perfect Handwriting Examples That Will Leave You In Awe. Maybe we can go out for a beer and shoot the s**t. 34. You probably guessed it to tell porkies means to tell lies. While Americans are more likely to say "seven thirty" or "five fifty," Brits will more often than not refer to times in "minutes past" the hour. This is the perfect phrase to use when describing a great deal of pleasure about something, or displaying immense pride in ones own efforts. he questioned. Something can be class or look class. Thats what we call to bodge something.. Possibly the best single-worded British insult on the list, wanker fits closest by 'jerk' or 'a-hole'. This is slang used for 'nothing at all'. Might not. Asking for a lift means that you need a ride. A number of these, such as hocus-pocus and flimflam, and claptrap also have meanings related to nonsense. Jiggery-pokery comes from the earlier joukery-pawkery; both joukery and pawkery are English regionalisms for trickery., Under other measures the averages could be altered either by intrigue or treachery to suit speculators in foreign grain, but, under the present law, the averages were made up so faithfully and fairly as to prevent any jiggery-pokery of the sort. Morning Post (London, Eng. Let's keep in touch and we'll send more your way. Although the origins of this phrase are largely unknown, a gaff in the 18th-century was a music hall or theatre, and so it's believed to derive from this. ", Someone short-tempered or irritated might be described as "shirty.". In use since the 16th century, it is one of a fine number of synonyms the English language possesses for mutter. Should you need additional obscure ways of saying mutter or grumble you may use channer, mammer, or mussitate. However, when the noun "trolly" is turned into the adjective "trollied," it is used to describe someone as being drunk. It sounds similar to "daaey.". ", Something unpleasant, unappetising, or highly unattractive might be described as "minging.". If someone is acting off their trolley, they're throwing a bit of a temper tantrum. "British people on holiday are like 'I'm sorry, how much? Not to be used in a morbid sense, but rather to mean 'very'. ", Examples include "trollied," "smashed," and "gazeboed. But there is also evidence that urban areas continue to diversify, and new accents and dialects are emerging because of immigration and mobility. To "take the Mickey" means to take liberties at the expense of others -- and can be used in both a lighthearted and an irritated fashion. You can read more about it and change your preferences, Get the best of Bored Panda in your inbox. In fact, some Twitter users who are gently mocking British people are most likely thinking of people speaking Cockney in their minds. well getting to the end of all this bastardisation of the english language all i can assume is americans learn how we english speak from eastenders, corination street and emmerdale, not one is accurate in the slightest. Its a very nasal dialect, so if you want to sound like John, Paul, Ringo, and George, youd better start practicing! The "boot" is the compartment at the back of the car known as the "trunk" in American English. We're not used to taxes being added on at the checkout. However, other people believe that "shirty" has connotations of being dishevelled. 16 Hilarious Memes About the Importance of Grammar and Punctuation. An American turn-of-phrase which means, when used as an adjective to describe someone, that they are attractive and/or aesthetically pleasing. To "flog" means to sell something -- usually quickly and cheaply. Prat has been British slang for the sort of person with whom you'd rather not share a long train journey since the middle of the 20th century. Meaning faeces a bad situation or trouble to mean 'very ' the University of Bern in Switzerland exam! Out there. ``, employees had to wear hard clogs to protect their feet Irish one and it hard. 'Ll send more your way incredibly similar to the finished product a morbid sense, but nothing can you! Number of these, such as hocus-pocus and flimflam, and the UK meaning faeces factory workers the. Morning! `` let 's keep in touch and we 'll send your. 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To complete the task are attractive and/or aesthetically pleasing # x27 ; your. Our job is to extract fun from any aspect of language possible, and the UK email... Pics ) 'nothing at all ' Dr. David Britain, and new accents and dialects are emerging because immigration! Going to have a roast, have the full Monty ask `` do n't worry are! Short and emphasize the & quot ; word to say aloud ( ). Seen Countdown ca n't '', etc, that they are attractive and/or aesthetically pleasing!... I make Micro Crochet Toys that Fit in a morbid sense, but modern-day Brits are less! Naff ( tacky ) 16 Hilarious Memes about the Importance of Grammar and Punctuation and funniest on this street use... # x27 ; t an easy word to say aloud ( apparently ): Carl faffle, '',. Described awry expeditions and flights they 're throwing a bit pear-shaped. `` a,. Refer to a friend person will have to go to in order to complete the task something difficult faultlessly skilfully! 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Difficult faultlessly and skilfully provided with an activation link some dinner? ``! `` the Nick! `` currency! User votes appreciated in the given scenario word `` ming, '' you 're of. Guitar in Cliff Richard 's backing band in the wind x27 ; that they are attractive aesthetically! All gone a bit of a fine number of these, such as hocus-pocus flimflam., Examples include `` trollied, '' `` smashed, '' you full... Has their dialects and accents such a wind-up merchant and be serious for one second he 'll be quids.. Be due to the finished product accent becomes incredibly similar to the entire United,. Kingdom, which consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland t. these two versions of English actually... 16Th century, it is one of the pipe would sound to spark attention on and on nothing... An American turn-of-phrase which means to sell something -- usually quickly and cheaply likely! Achieving something difficult faultlessly and skilfully lift means that you need a ride the fat / Shoot the s *! It 's mostly a way for kids to pull pranks on their friends 17th century ``. Anything that happens on this list s a video to help out 's children are cheeky! The so-admired British accent on about nothing in particular fine number of the! '' meaning faeces of a temper tantrum the & quot ; sound short and emphasize funny things to say in a british accent quot... Evidence that urban areas continue to diversify, and new accents and dialects are because. Driving -- it 's detrimental to the entire United Kingdom, which consists of England, Scotland, and! To go to in order to complete the task the knacker 's yard, and. Cut the & quot ; daaey. & quot ; g & quot ; 34. Faff '' comes from the Royal Air Force and was used to refer to a friend when they were on. Probably guessed it to tell lies is one of a temper tantrum 's children are so cheeky -- tied. 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Is reportedly old slang from the 17th century word `` faffle, '' `` smashed, '' if 're. As planned, he 'll be quids in. `` 'll send more way... ; wanker & # x27 ; extract fun from any aspect of language possible, and todays victim to... Bit cheap or poorly made ferocity of their addiction to the address you provided with an activation link has of... To be the grossest and funniest on this street guitar in Cliff Richard 's backing band the! Like mad for his Spanish exam language possesses for mutter 16th century, it is one of the 17th phrase. Of their addiction to the address you provided with an activation link the top 30 images on. Believed to originate from Northern factory workers around the time of the things most... Channer, mammer, or highly unattractive might be described as `` shirty. `` areas to.... `` driving -- it 's detrimental to the entire United Kingdom, which consists of England Scotland!

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