HI! I'M DAN!

NICE TO MEET YOU!

Thanks for downloading this guide to British
English slang.

I am a CELTA qualified ESL teacher with over

8 years experience helping people
communicate confidently in English.

Recently, I have come to realise the

importance of understanding local slang and
colloquialisms. It's not just about fitting in
with the locals, but it's also about truly
understanding the nuances of the language
and the culture.

British slang, in particular, is a colourful and

ever-evolving aspect of the English language.
It can be confusing and even intimidating for
non-native speakers, but it's also an
opportunity to deepen your understanding of
British culture and connect with people on a
more personal level.

This book is a comprehensive guide to British

slang, designed specifically for English
learners. It's an invaluable resource for
anyone looking to improve their language
skills and gain a deeper appreciation for the
richness and diversity of the English language.

I encourage you to dive in and explore the

world of British slang. Who knows, you may
even impress some locals with your newfound
knowledge!

www.britspeak.co
 CONTENTS:
1. ALL MOUTH, NO TROUSERS
2. BALL-ACHE
3. CAN'T BE ARSED
4. DODGY
5. EFFING AND BLINDING
6. FAFFING AROUND
7. GANDER
8. HUNKY-DORY
9. INNIT
10. JAMMY
11. KNACKERED
12. LEG IT
13. MARDY
14. NOT MY CUP OF TEA
15. ODDS AND SODS
16. PISSED
17. QUID
18. RANK
19. SKIVE
20. TITS UP
21. UMPTEEN
22. VEG-OUT
23. WONKY
24. XXX
25. YONKS
26. ZONKED

www.britspeak.co
ALL MOUTH, NO TROUSERS
Meaning:
A person who talks a lot but does not take action.

Usage:

What do you think of the new guy

who started last week?

He's all mouth and no trousers,

always making promises he never
keeps.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 BALL-ACHE
Meaning:
A source of annoyance or frustration.

Usage:

Did you manage to get all of your

paper work done?

Nah. It's a proper ball-ache. I hate

doing it.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 CAN'T BE ARSED
Meaning:
To be too lazy or uninterested to do something

Usage:

Are you playing footy with us this

weekend?

I can't be arsed to be honest. I'd

rather sit at home and watch TV.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 DODGY
Meaning:
Something questionable, suspicious or unreliable

Usage:

That restaurant is proper dodgy. I

would give it a miss, if I were you.

Really? I just made a reservation for

this weekend...

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 EFFING & BLINDING
Meaning:
Using strong language or swear words

Usage:

He is always effing and blinding. It's

not really on, is it?

Especially in front of the kids. They

don't need to hear that.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 FAFFING AROUND
Meaning:
To waste time or procrastinate doing something.

Usage:

Stop faffing around on Instagram!

Don't you have a test tomorrow?

Yeah, but I am gonna smash it so

there's no worries

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 A GANDER
Meaning:
To take a quick look or glance at something.

Usage:

Have you decided what you are

ordering yet?

Not yet. Let me have a gander at the

menu and see what I fancy.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 HUNKY-DORY
Meaning:
To be OK for totally fine

Usage:

How are you feeling today mate?

Everything OK?

Yeah mate. Hunky-dory. How about

yourself?

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 INNIT
Meaning:
Short for isn't it. Often used at the end of a sentence

Usage:

It's absolutely bloody freezing

today, innit...

You're not wrong mate. I think we

had better put the heating on.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 JAMMY
Meaning:
To be very lucky or fortunate.

Usage:

I can't believe I won a new car in that

magazine competition

Me neither mate. You are proper

jammy!

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 KNACKERED
Meaning:
To be very tired or exhausted.

Usage:

I'm bloody knackered after the flight.

14 hours it took.

You best go home and get some kip

mate.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 LEG IT
Meaning:
To run away from someone of something

Usage:

Mate! Leg it! The police are coming

this way.

Why? We haven't done anything

wrong... have we?

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 MARDY
Meaning:
To be sulky, grumpy, or bad-tempered.

Usage:

Why are you being so mardy today.

What's up?

I don't know mate. Just having one

of those days, you know?

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 NOT MY CUP OF TEA
Meaning:
Not to someone's liking or preference

Usage:

Do you fancy coming to the cricket

match this weekend?

Nah mate. Cricket is not my cup of

tea to be honest.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 ODDS AND SODS
Meaning:
A random collection of miscellaneous items

Usage:

What's in that drawer?

It's just odds and sods that I need to

sort out at some point.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 PISSED
Meaning:
To be very drunk

Usage:

Are you alright mate... you look a bit

rough.

I think I am a bit pissed. Might have

been that bottle of vodka I drank.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 QUID
Meaning:
British slang for pounds sterling. The money we use.

Usage:

Any chance you can lend me twenty

quid until payday?

Give over. You still owe me 20 quid

from last month!

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 RANK
Meaning:
Horrible, in bad taste or actually smells unpleasant.

Usage:

What are you cooking? It smells

proper rank!

It is my famous garlic and cheese

natto... Don't you want some?

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 SKIVE
Meaning:
To avoid work or responsibility

Usage:

Let's skive the 9am lecture and go to

the cinema instead

Sounds like a decent plan that mate.

I wanna see the new Marvel film!

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 TITS UP
Meaning:
A situation that has gone wrong or failed.

Usage:

I heard you went to the party on

Friday. How was it.

It was going great until the sound

system went tits up.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 UMPTEEN
Meaning:
A large, but unspecified amount, of something

Usage:

Have you thought any more about

lending me that 20 quid?

For the umpteenth time, theres no

way I'm lending you any money!

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 VEG OUT
Meaning:
To relax at home and basically do nothing.

Usage:

What are you up to this weekend

then mate?

I cant be arsed to go out so I'll

probably just veg out at home.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 WONKY
Meaning:
Something or someone is shaky or unstable

Usage:

Can I borrow your bike. Mine has a

wonky wheel.

Yeah, alright. Just don't crash it like

you did yours!

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 XXX
Meaning:
When used in text messages, it stands for a kiss.

Usage:

Why do you always end your texts

with xxx?

It's just a British thing. It means a

kiss but it is just a sign of affection.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 YONKS
Meaning:
A very long time

Usage:

Alright mate! Long time no see! How

have you been?

Good mate! It's been absolutely

yonks since I last saw you!

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
 ZONKED
Meaning:
Similar to knackered, it means to be very tired.

Usage:

Are you alright mate? Are you feeling

alright?

I'm zonked mate. I'm gonna head

home and get some sleep.

Notes:

www.britspeak.co
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