I gathered all the best British expressions that I've encountered here in Blighty a.k.a Britain.
I live in the UK for almost eight years now, and somehow I've managed to adapt the British traditions and culture. As an adopted child of Britain, I integrate myself on learning few things here and there about the country and most especially their language.
The English language is the second language of the Philippines however; this is more of the American English. So when I moved to Britain, I found myself rather confused and amazed by their accents (There are loads of accents in the UK depends on where you live. E.g. The Queen’s English or the Yam yam) and let alone their expressions.
British people are really proud of their language and consider it as the “true” English language. (No harm intended!)
So I’ve gathered some of the British expressions I’ve come across throughout the years I live here in the UK. I hope to shed some light on what are these bloody British expressions are, how and when to use them.
“Taking the piss”
Meaning: This expression is NOT related to the thing that you do when you go to the toilet. This means someone is mocking you.
“round the Wrekin”
Meaning: Wrekin is a place in the Midlands. Locals from the region use this as an expression on going the long way around.
“Doing my nut in”
Meaning: As simple as ANNOYING. Where “nut” means brain/head.
“Having a giraffe”
Meaning: To crack a joke. Having a laugh. Where giraffe rhymes with the world “laugh”.
“Pear shaped”
Meaning: It’s gone wrong.
“Mugged me off”
Meaning: feeling someone has cheated you.
“gone to the ministry”
Meaning: spent a long time on the toilet. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you’ll probably remember how a wizard/witch goes to the ministry of magic… through the toilet! It makes sense, right?
“Tipping it down”
Meaning: Raining hard/heavily. Same as “raining cats and dogs”. I consider this as the most commonly used expressions here in the UK, as its bloody gloomy and raining here! Oh yes! I love the English weather.
“Going on a bender”
Meaning: going out and drink a lot of alcohol.
“All gone Pete Tong” / “All gone tits up”
Meaning: expressions used when something gone wrong. The “tong” on Pete Tong is a cockney (London) slang that rhymes with “wrong”.
“What a load of bollocks”
Meaning: If something is rubbish or poor it is a “load of bollocks”. “bollocks” itself is a commonly used expression like “crap” etc. Of course, “Bollocks” as you probably know it’s the males genitalia.
“Dog’s Bollocks”
Meaning: Another “bollocks” on the British expressions. However, this “bollocks” means good. You have to use the complete expression to convey its meaning, because you might end up giving the wrong signal.
“Faffing around”
Meaning: Taking your time slowly or messing around. Doing the unnecessary things when you should be doing something more important.
“Got the lurgy”
Meaning: This expression is to be used when you are feeling ill. Lurgy means undetermined illness.
“Bostin”
Meaning: Commonly used in the Midlands, this expression means “good” and “great” etc.
“On your bike”
Meaning: This expression is perfect if you are annoyed or had enough of someone and you want them to leave. Pretty much, “get lost”.
“Put a sock in it”
Meaning: SHUT UP!
“Chill your beans”
Meaning: Calm down!
“Spend a penny”
Meaning: This is a classic British expression that means “going to the toilet”. In the old days, You would have to pay a penny (the smallest denomination of UK currency) to go to the public toilet. You will still see this kind dotted around UK but won’t cost you a penny anymore.
This article is originally published on Everything Zany
About the Author:Ryazan Tristram, A British-Filipina travel writer of Everything Zany. She is named after a Russian city near Moscow. Born and raised in Manila and currently living in the UK with her husband. She likes to travel, history, meet people & try exotic foods! Planning to explore more countries with her D.I.Y trips. Follow her adventures on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.