funny british words

a chance to pick on the angrez...

A-LEVELS n. 1. An exam which is the second part of the General Certificate of Education needed in order to attend the university. These are generally taken at age 18.

ALLOTMENT n. 1. A collection of rented plots of land usually for the growing of fruit and vegetables.

ANORAK n. 1. Hooded coat. Parka.

ARTICULATED LORRY n. 1. A semi truck. This is almost always shortened to ARTIC (pronounced AR-TICK with the emphasis on the second syllable).

AUBERGINE (o-ber-jean) n. 1. Eggplant.


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BANGERS n. 1. Sausages. A very common meal is BANGERS and MASH (sausages and mashed potatoes). The sausages are called BANGERS because they will burst if you do not pierce them while they are cooking.

BANK HOLIDAYS n. banks are officially closed, legal holiday, equivalent to a national or federal holiday

BARKING. adj. Crazy. See also mad.

BARMY. adj. Strange or very silly. Often said in jest amongst friends

BATHROOM. n. A room containing a sink, a bathtub or bathtub/shower combination and usually, though not always, a toilet.

BIN n. 1. Waste paper basket.

BIRD n. 1. Slang term for a girl or woman.

BIRO (bi-row) n. 1. Ball point pen. This was originally a trade name (e.g. BIC).

BISCUIT n. 1. Cookie. 2. Cracker, as in, "BISCUITS and cheese". Other types of BISCUITS include BATH OLIVERS, WATER BISCUITS, BOURBONS and DIGESTIVES .

BITTER n. 1. Name for a type of English beer. This is served at cellar temperature and is a bit darker than LAGER.

BLACK PUDDING n. 1. Not a pudding at all, but rather a form of blood sausage. (Visit our Food page)

BLANCMANGE (blah-mahn-je) n. 1. A dessert rather like custard made by mixing a white powder (today this is often fruit flavoured) with hot milk. When this cools it solidifies producing a flavoured jello-like dessert. It may be eaten warm or after it has cooled. (Visit our Food page)

BLIMEY. int. An expression of surprise, frustration or even joy. Similar to "wow," "darn," "whoa," etc.

BOBBY n. 1. Policeman in the UK. The term came from Robert Peel, the "inventor" of the policeman. See also Copper


BOB'S YOUR UNCLE phrase. 1. Everything is complete. There is no more to be done.
(See our phrases page)

BLOKE. n. A guy. Similar to "chap."

BLOODY HELL (blud-ee-el) Expletive. 1. This blasphemous expression may be used to voice one's incredulity about something just said. This is equivalent to the American phrase "Why, Gosh. Who would have thought!"

BLOODY. adj. Descriptive term for something that frustrates or bothers someone, as in "that bloody boss!"

BOGEY. n. Mucus material from the nose; a booger.

BONKERS adj. 1. Acting crazy or mad. Other variations include CRACKERS, DAFT and BARMY.

BONNET n. 1. That part of an automobile which is at the other end from the BOOT. what the hell is a boot?

BOOK v. 1. To reserve. The British never reserve a table at a restaurant or a room at an hotel, they always BOOK it: "Do we need to BOOK in advance, do you think?" The term BOOKING means a reservation.

BOOT n. 1. That part of an automobile which is at the other end from the BONNET. okay, that explains it...

BOXING DAY n. 1. A holiday which falls on the day after Christmas (the Feast of St. Stephen). In earlier years the wealthy would put leftover Christmas food in boxes for their servants or the poor. Hey we got this in Canada as well...no wonder the american i was talking to had no clue what i was talking about...

BRACES n. 1. Suspenders.

BRANSTON n. 1. Pickle spread used in sandwiches.

BRICKIE n. 1. A bricklayer.

BROLLY n. 1. Umbrella.

BUBBLE AND SQUEAK n. 1. Fried left-over potatoes and greens (with perhaps some onions added for flavour). (Visit our Food page)

BUGGY n. 1. A stroller.

BUM n. 1. Slightly jocular name for the posterior.

BUNG. v. To (1) carelessly put something somewhere; (2) to throw.

BUTTY n. 1. Sandwich, as in JAM BUTTIES (jelly sandwiches) or CHIP BUTTIES (French fry sandwiches).The perfect chip butty consists of two fairly large slices from a large white loaf, liberally buttered, layered with chips (salt and vinegar optional) and smothered in tomato sauce. (Visit our Food page)


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CANDY FLOSS n. 1. Cotton candy.

CANTEEN n. 1. Cafeteria. (no wonder desi's call it that)

CAPITAL The most important city in a country

CARAVAN n. 1. Mobile home. 2. Trailer.

CAR PARK n. 1. A parking lot.

CATS EYES n. 1. The reflectors that are imbedded in the middle of the road to make it easier to see the middle line at night.

CELLOTAPE. n. Clear plastic sticky tape, often sold in rolls; cellophane tape. CENTRAL HEATING n. A system for heating a whole building, by means of pipes, radiators, etc connected to a central source of heat.

CHAP. n. Same as "bloke"; a guy.

CHEERS phrase. 1. A typical English drinking toast. 2.Thanks. .3. Good bye.

CHEERIO phrase. 1. Good bye.

CHEMIST n. 1. Drug store.

CHIPPIE n. 1. A fish and CHIP shop.

CHIPPINGS n. 1. Gravel, as in the roadside sign "Beware of loose CHIPPINGS".

CHIPS n. 1. French fries, as in "fish and CHIPS".

CHRISTIANITY A religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

CHUFF. v. (1) To make loud puffing or breathing noises. (2) slang To speak nonsense. Chuffed, chuffing.

CHUFFED adv. 1. Happy, as in, "I was really CHUFFED when I passed my exams."

CIDER n. 1. Not apple juice, but a rather strong alcoholic drink made from apple juice.

CINEMA. n. (1) A movie theater. This is not to be confused with a THEATRE.

CLOTTED CREAM n. 1. A cream so thick that you can spread it with your knife.

CLOAKROOM n. 1. Toilet.

COCKNEY n. 1. Anyone born within the sound (hearing distance) of the Bow bells in London (the East end).

CONK. n. The nose. See also HOOTER

CONTINENTAL QUILT n. 1. A comforter.

COOKER n. 1. An apparatus for cooking food; a stove.

COPPER n. Policeman

CORKING. adj. Excellent; splendid. Like spiffing. Often used sarcastically.

CRAZY. adj. 1. Acting mad. Other variations include CRACKERS, DAFT, BONKERS, BARKING MAD and BARMY.

CREAM TEAS n. 1. A traditional snack widely served in the U.K. It consists of TEA, SCONES (a type of muffin), and generous portions of CLOTTED CREAM and JAM (usually strawberry). Find out more

CRISPS. n. Snack chips; usually the potato kind.

CRUMPET. n. A small, round, bread muffin cooked on a griddle. It is often toasted and served with butter. Americans know it as an "English muffin." Find out more

CUSTARD n. 1. A yellow sauce used as a topping on various desserts.


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DEAD ON adj. 1. Exactly (when said of time), as in, "The meeting will start DEAD ON 9:00".

DEPARTMENT STORES Big shops which sell many different goods

DIARY n. 1. Appointment calendar. 2. Written record of events

DIGS n. 1. Long term rented accommodation in a private house, often used by university students.

DODGY. adj. Evasive; suspicious; unclear.

DOUBLE DECKER n. 1. A two-level bus. - these things are awesome

DRAWING PIN n. 1. Thumb tack.

DRAWING ROOM n. 1. Living room.

DRESSING GOWN. n. A bathrobe.

DUAL CARRIAGEWAY n. 1. Divided highway.

DUSTBIN. n. Garbage can.


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ELEVENSES n. 1. Morning coffee (TEA) break.

ENGAGED adj. 1. Busy. A telephone may be ENGAGED. Similarly, a public toilet may also be ENGAGED.


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FATHER CHRISTMAS. n. British name for Santa Claus.

FETE (fate) n. 1. A festival.

FISH FINGERS n. 1. Fish sticks. In either language they taste pretty awful.

FISHMONGER n. 1. A person that sells fish.

FLAT n. 1. Apartment, whether rented or owned (condominium).

FLOOR n. 1. The British (and Europeans as well) start counting floors of a building with zero. The first floor is the GROUND FLOOR, the second is the FIRST FLOOR etc.

FOOTBALL. n. (1) The game of soccer. (2) A soccer ball.

FORTNIGHT n. 1. Two weeks.

FULL STOP n. 1. A period. The thing at the end of this sentence.


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GAMMON n. 1. Ham.

GATEAU (ga-toe) n. 1. Rich cake.

GIRL GUIDE n. 1. Girl Scout. The (Girl) Scouts are usually called the GUIDES.

GIT. n. Oddball; jerk; fool.

GOB n. 1. Slang term for mouth.
GOB v. 1. To spit.

GOBSMACKED adj. 1. utterly astonished / surprised

GRAVY n. A sauce made from meat juices, usually combined with a liquid such as chicken or beef broth, wine or milk and thickened with flour, cornstarch or some other thickening agent. Gravy may also be the simple juices left in the pan after meat, poultry or fish has been cooked.

GROTTY adj. 1. Unpleasant.


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HEAD MASTER n. 1. Principal of a school. These also may be known as HEAD MISTRESS or HEAD TEACHER

HOLIDAY(S). n. Vacation trip; vacation time period.

HOOTER n. 1. A horn. 2. A derogatory term for the nose, as in, "He's got quite a HOOTER". don't wanna say that to some chic here unless you wanna get knocked out...

HOOVER n. 1. Vacuum cleaner.


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IRONMONGER n. 1. Hardware store.

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JAM n. A preserve of fruit boiled with sugar and water. It is spread on bread and butter.

JELLY n. Jelly (Jello.) is a sweet or savoury food gel, usually made through the addition of gelatin. It wobbles when you move it. It is usually sweetened, flavoured with fruit juices, and eaten as dessert.

JOLLY adv. Very, as in, "It's JOLLY hard work". 2. Happy

JUMPER. n. A sweater.


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KICK THE BUCKET v. 1. Die
(The phrase comes from when people being hung stood on an upside down bucket with a rope around their neck, and the bucket was kicked away.)

KIT n. 1. Gear.

KIP. v. To sleep.

KIPPERS. N. 1. A male salmon or seatrout during or shortly after the spawning season
2. A herring or salmon that has been split, salted, and smoked.

KNACKERED v tired / worn out

KNICKERS. n. (Pronounced "NICK-urs") Underpants worn by women or girls.


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LARDER n. 1. Pantry.

LAVER BREAD (lavah bred) n. 1. An edible seaweed (originally from Wales). LAVER means seaweed.

LAY-BY n. 1. Roadside rest area.

LAY-IN. n. A time of sleeping late into the morning; v. LAY IN (no hyphen) to sleep in.

LIFT n. 1. Elevator.

LILO. n. An inflatable air mattress made of rubber or plastic.

LOFT n. 1. Attic of a house.

LOLLIPOP LADY/MAN n. 1. School crossing guard.

LOLLY n. 1. Money. 2. Popsicle.

LOO n. 1. Toilet. Also called lav, lavatory or bog

LORRY n. 1. Truck.

LOUNGE n. 1. Living room. DRAWING ROOM. SITTING ROOM.


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MACINTOSH n. 1. Raincoat, also known as a MAC.

MANKY. adj. Dirty and very used, as in the "manky old boot"

MARMITE n. 1. A spread made from yeast extract

MOTORBIKE. n. A motorcycle. ("Motorbike" in American English usually refers to a small, light motorcycle, often with pedals, also called a "moped.")

MUM. n. Mother; equivalent to the American "mom."


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NAG v. 1. To tease in a petty way ; To annoy by constant scolding, complaining, or urging. ; 2. An old horse

NARK v. annoy

NEWSAGENT n. 1. A shop which sells only newspapers, magazines and sweets.

NICK. v. To steal.

NIP. v. To run quickly to a place.

NIPPER n. 1. A young boy, a kid.

NIPPY adj Cold

NOUGHTS AND CROSSES n. 1. The game of tic tac toe.

NUTTER. n. A crazy person. Very much like "nut."


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OVER THE MOON phrase. 1. Very pleased.


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PANTS n. 1. Underwear,

PARLIAMENT The group of people who rule the United Kingdom

PAVEMENT. n. The sidewalk. In American English, this word usually means the concrete or asphalt used in roads or sidewalks.

PECKISH. adj. Hungry.

PETROL. n. (Pronounced "PE-troll") Gasoline. (i love this one)

PILLAR BOX n. 1. Mail box for mailing letters. See also POST BOX

PILLOCK n. 1. A useless or stupid person.

PITCH. n. A playing field for sports, as in the "Football pitch."

PLOUGHMAN'S n. 1. A traditional PUB lunch which consists of bread, cheese, and pickled onions.

POST. n. The mail.

POST BOX n. 1. Mail box for posting letters. See also PILLAR BOX

POSTMAN n. 1. Mailman.

POUND or POUND STERLING n. 1. The basic monetary unit used in the United Kingdom.

PRAM n. 1. Stroller, baby carriage See also PUSH CHAIR

PRAT. n. A derogatory term for someone stupid or foolish. Originally meant the butt. Equivalent to "ass" (a stupid person) in American English.

PRISE. v. (Pronounced "prize") Variation of "pry," to pull two things apart.

PUB Short for 'public house'. A place where people can buy drinks and food and chat with friends. Find out more

PUDDING n. the dessert course of a meal (`pud' is used informally)

PURSE n. 1. A pocketbook. A PURSE is something a lady puts her money into and then puts the PURSE into her handbag.

PUSH CHAIR n. 1. Stroller, baby carriage See also PRAM


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QUID n. 1. One POUND. (money)

QUEUE. (Pronounced like "cue") n. A line, as in a group of people lined up for something.

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RASHER n. 1. Slice, as in, a RASHER of bacon.

RUBBER n. 1. Eraser.

RUBBISH n. 1. Trash.

RUDDY. adj. Similar to bloody. "That ruddy Boss!"

RUG n. 1. Car blanket.


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SACK. v. To fire from a job.

SELLOTAPE. n. Trademark for a clear plastic adhesive tape used for repairing tears or broken items. See also cellotape.

SHIRTY. adj. Angry; bad tempered.

SKIVE. v. (Rhymes with "jive" or "hive") To avoid work of any kind. Skived, skiving.

SLEEPING POLICEMAN. n. A speed hump or speed bump.

SPEND A PENNY phrase. 1. To go to the toilet. From the days when public conveniences required a penny to be put in the slot to enter.

SPIFFING. adj. Excellent or first-rate (upper-class schoolboy slang, but often used in a sarcastic way to make fun of wealthy or pompous people).

STONE. n. 1. a small piece of rock.
2. a traditional British unit of weight,

SQUAT. v. 1. To sit in a crouching position with knees bent and the buttocks on or near the heels. 2. To crouch down, as an animal does.

STARKERS. adj. Naked. “He was absolutely starkers”.

SUBWAY n. 1. An walkway under a street.

SURNAME n. A person's last name

SUSS OUT v. 1. To figure something out, to investigate. As in, "to SUSS OUT the answer ".

SWEETS. n. Candy.


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TAP. n. A faucet.

TEA n. 1. A very common hot beverage found in the UK. 2. A light meal in the early evening.

TEACAKE n. 1. A kind of sweetened bread with raisins, often served toasted. There are lots of CAKES like this: BATH BUNS, CHELSEA BUNS and ECCLES CAKES. (Visit our Food page for more)

TEA TOWEL n. 1. Dish towel.

TEE SHIRT n. 1. Short sleeved sports shirt.

TELLY n. 1. A television (Also called 'the box')

TERRACE HOUSE n. 1. Row house. Town house.

TA Slang Thank you

THEATRE n. 1. An establishment where one may see plays, ballet etc. This is most certainly not a place to see movies.

TISSUE n. 1. Kleenex.

TRAINER. n. A sneaker; tennis shoe.

TREACLE. (Pronounced "TREE-kull") n. 1. Molasses. 2. A blend of molasses, sugar and corn syrup used as a table syrup, also called "golden syrup."

TROLLEY. n. A small wheeled cart used to move a great deal of objects or heavy items. (Trolley most often means a type of streetcar in American English.)


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UNDERGROUND n (With a capital letter) the London subway system. Also called The Tube

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VACANT adj. 1. The state a lavatory is in when it's not ENGAGED.

VERGES n. 1. Shoulder of a road as in, "SOFT VERGES".

VEST n. 1. A tee shirt. Undershirt.


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WARDROBE n. A cupboard to hang clothes in.

WASH UP or WASHING UP v. 1. To wash plates, pans, knives, forks etc. It does not mean to wash hands and face.

WASHING n. Laundry (dirty clothes waiting to be washed)

WASTE BIN n. 1. Waste paper basket.

WAY OUT n. 1. Exit.

WELLIES n. 1. WELLINGTONS. Rubber boots. The Duke of Wellington invented rubber boots, hence the name.

WHACKED adj. 1. Tired. Exhausted.

WICKED adj. Slang Excellent

WIRELESS. n. Olf fashion name for the radio.

WONKY. adj. Shaky or weak.


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YORKSHIRE PUDDING n. 1. Not a desert but a kind of baked batter mix mostly eaten with roast beef. (Visit our Food page for more) - heard this is disgusting...


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ZEBRA CROSSING (zeb-rah not zee-bra) n. 1. One of several types of pedestrian crossings, so named because of the distinctive black and white stripes which mark the road where the pedestrian is to cross..

i hate the word guy

you have never heard of the phrase Over the Moon?

all this over a bit of petroleum...? you americans will never change...

nope...heard of "over the hill" though...

I think the brits call Cigarettes fags

C'mon what is Tissue doing there? are you for real?

Yeah BUT they are mainly called Cigarettes - the slang terms are snout, tabs etc etc

Fags is used for cigarettes BUT less so nowadays cos it means Homo in america and this is becoming a globalised world

Surely by including 'funny' in the title - I was expecting to be laughing.....

Didnt happen.

it ain't gonna be funny for people from there obviously...canadian slang is worse...i'll put that up when i get time...

Most of the words were pretty straight forward for me too, and I've never actually lived in England

yeah!! funnny brits

I read a few and there was not much slang or funny things there. A-Levels, BANK HOLIDAYS, T Shirt, HOOVER, RUBBISH ... is that funny. these were taken randomly
I will say some words I don't know but ...

most words are...but some are just weird...

None of them seemed unusual to me.

All those words seemed normal to me.

This is more like a dictionary than funny words.

Bird = Woman

ginnel : narrow passage between houses

Allotment yes I'm still p*ssing myself now, what a funny word

What is wrong with allotment?

Sarcasm GA, sarcasm...

Ah i see - i didnt see the smiley at the end at first

laiking, yorkshire expression for playing eg. what are you laiking at? who are leeds laiking tonight?

how about a 'cob' as in a bread roll - its a Nottingham word. Another one is calling someone duck, like ''ayup me duck!'' God knows where that came from?!

i thought it was spelt lecking, meh doesn't matter much anyway