London/British Sayings & Phrases from an American Expat
Around 200 words, phrases, and sayings that I have heard in my 356 days in London, United Kingdom
I had the amazing opportunity to move to London from Chicago, for my corporate career, January of 2022. I’ve had the pleasure of learning so many new things since moving and one of them is picking up on the definitions of the words, phrases, and sayings British people use. You think since we both speak English that everything would translate but I thought wrong! Haha I should’ve known because even when you live in different parts of the US, we have our own sayings and varying accents / dialects.
Caveat: Don’t shoot the messenger. LOL. All of these words and phrases have been collected from people I have met so I’m sure there are words left off and some that might not be quite right or only one person says it and I classified it as all British people. I have not Googled any of this so if you see something that can be adjusted, do like they say in the airport or train and “If you see something…. say something.” I would love to add and keep this updated :) This list comes from numerous strangers turned friends here in London, ranging in age and ethic backgrounds.
- A Bop = A Walk
- A lay in = Lazy day in bed
- Adverts = Advertisements
- Ain’t heard that in time = Haven’t heard that in a minute / awhile
- Air you = Ignore you
- Alexander Palace = Ally Pally
- Am I your type on paper = Am I your type
- Are you fucking mad = Are you dumb / stupid
- Banker / banker wanker = Place that has money / upscale
- Bare = long, lots
- Barge pole = Long pole
- Bash = throw X wank (masturbation)
- Bee in my bonnet = irritated
- Bell end = dick
- Bell you = call you
- Big man ting = adult matters
- Big up = make important
- Bits = details / foreplay
- Bits and bobs = some things
- Bless her cotton socks = Bless her heart
- Blitz = Freezing
- Bloodclot = swear word similar to ‘motherfucker’ or about someone
- Bly = Pass
- Bobs your uncle = your success is guaranteed & ‘Fannie’s your aunt’ to finish the phrase
- Bog = toilet
- Bog standard = Basic
- Bollicking = Telling off
- Booky = Suspect , shifty, shady
- Boot = trunk
- Boss guy = head man or woman in charge
- Bruv = bro
- Build a zoot= roll a blunt
- Bumped = Ripped out
- Buzzer = door bell
- Buzzing = Lit
- Cafe (pronounced calf) = breakfast spot
- Cainerows = cornrows
- Car Tyre = Car Tire
- Cash point = ATM
- Chappin = Freezing 🥶
- Chill up = cool out
- Chinwag = a lot of talking
- Chips = fries
- Chirps = romantically engaged in convo
- Chop the waste = get out the way
- Cold fridge = cooler
- College = Associates Degree or 11–12th grade
- Coriander = cilantro
- Credit notes = gift card / voucher
- Crush red pepper = crushed chilis
- Cushions = pillows for couch
- Cut some shapes = bust some moves
- Defo = Def
- Diary = Calendar
- Dickhead = same as wanker, bad term
- Dish up = prepare a plate
- Dodgey = sketchy
- Driggins = ends of coffee
- Ends = Neighbourhood (the hoods)
- Erm = um
- Faff = spend time ineffectual activity or an over complicated task (don’t faff around)
- Fit = good looking
- Flaps = Labia
- Flat = apartment
- Food = drugs
- Food Shop = Grocery Shopping
- Football pitch = soccer field
- Fortnight = two weeks
- Frass = Drunk
- Fruit wonders = fruit roll ups
- Fuck knows = who knows
- Fucking hell = oh wow
- Fugs = futbol and rugby fans
- Full of beans = full of energy
- Full stop = period
- Gutted = wounded, disappointed
- Had a stink = he’s a nightmare
- Happy as Larry = to be very happy
- Having a bubble = having a laugh
- High chest = “wanna leave your job but don’t wanna put in the work”
- Hoover = Vacuum (brand)
- How’d you find it = was it good?
- I didn’t clock = I didn’t check / think about it
- I’m belted = delayed beyond the usual time
- In a bit = in a little while
- In the que = waiting line
- Init = isn’t it
- It’s Calm = it’s all good
- It’s smoov = it’s chill
- Jabbed = shot, injection
- Jelly=Jam
- Jib in = sneak in
- Jumper = Crew Neck
- Kmt= kissing my teeth
- Knackered = very tired
- Knickers = underwear
- Knock your socks off= impress someone in a very strong way / “go crazy” “get comfy”
- Lay-by = off the road / slip road
- Leads = Leash
- Leng = Buff / Sexy
- Let = rent
- Licked / smashed = way too much to drink
- Lift = elevator
- Limbs = going crazy (only a football term)
- Lorries = Semi trucks or 18 wheelers
- Lost the Plot = Lost their mind (plot of the story)
- Low me = give me more credit
- Love it or lump it = love it or leave it
- Mad = crazy / wild
- Marga = skin & bones
- Mash up= drunk & beat them up
- Mate = multiple meanings (what, hey, bro)
- mince beef = ground beef
- Moan = complain
- Muppet = dickhead
- My local = local pub
- Neek = cross between Nerd & Geek (cool geek)
- Nonce = person who likes little kids (in a nasty way, pedophile)
- not fussed = I’m good for it
- P’s = money
- Pad = smaller residence
- Paigon = backstabber
- Pants = Wack
- Peak = Not Good
- Peckish = a little hungry
- Peng = nice, fit, sexy
- pence = cents
- Plaster = bandaid
- Playing about = playing with you
- Porter Loo = Porter Potty
- Preed = peeped
- Primary School = Elementary & Middle School
- Proper = Very
- Pushbike = bicycle
- Quid / Pounds = Dollars
- Rate me = give me more credit
- Raw = like shocking / reaction to something that throws you off (“oh wow that’s raw”)
- Recky = wreckless
- Return = Roadtrip (train)
- Revved = Muffed
- Rinsed = watered down, washed up
- Rocket = Arugala
- Rubbish = Bad
- Ruck sack = backpack
- School night = work tomorrow / midweek
- Shag = Fuck
- Shattered = Tired
- Shopping centre = mall
- Shout me later = Call me later
- Sket = slut
- Slag = promiscuous woman
- Slap it on = put it on quickly or roughly
- SNM = say no more
- Snog = Kiss (make out)
- Sound = Nice
- Spud = fist bump / pound it
- Squash = little juice and a lot of water
- Squirty cream = whip cream
- Still = stamp on it / Like it’s “still” bad (emphasis)
- Straight away = right now
- Swear down = swear
- Takeaway = To Go
- Taking the piss = doing too much
- Tell a lie = made a mistake / my bad
- That’s a good shout = that’s a good idea
- The bill = The check
- The bin = garbage can
- The blow back = shot gun
- The Loo = toilet
- Tings = adjective to explain things
- Tosser = softer way of saying wanker
- Totaled = Write Off
- Twat = to hit
- Uni = university
- Up to scratch = up to the top quality
- Valet = detailing
- Wally = Idiot
- Wanker = a person who masterbates / a dickhead
- Wasteman = Lame
- Waved = Gone (lit)
- Wet = Moist / Soft
- Wham = Bigger
- What are you on about = what do you mean / what are you even talking about (like it’s nonsense)
- What you saying / What you saying anyway = what are you doing
- Worked = very used
- Yard = house
- Yeah? = at the end of sentences to mean listen
- You alright = how are you
- You lot = You guys
- Youngers = kid
- Yout = youth, kid
- Zed = Z
Hope you enjoyed as much as I did putting this together! The list will continue to grow as I am here.