Briticisms

[Elita]

Briticisms

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What they mean and when to use them.

What Are They?
A Briticism is a British turn of phrase. Remember that when speaking, British-English is not the same as other forms of English. Britain has differing terminology and slang and it is safer to adopt a Briticism than it is to go ahead and use a term you yourself (whatever your nationality) may use on a day to day basis. Below is a list of Briticisms commonly used in the UK from the mid 90's and onward. Each section is alpha-numeric.

Greetings & Farewells
Alright – A greeting and a question, 'alright?' is an informal greeting shared with friends.
'ello – Obviously, 'hello' with the 'h' dropped.
'Ey up – A northern informal phrase.
Heya/Hiya – Informal hello.
Later - Used between friends, an abbreviation of, 'see you later'.
Tarrah - A Northern, informal phrase to say goodbye.

Insults
Arse – Someone who is unkind. An American version would be, 'shit head', hehehe.
Arsehole – Self explanatory, really.
Bell-end - This means two things. It references male genitalia and it also refers to someone who is arrogant.
Bint – An offensive term for a woman or a girl.
Bugger– Not a strong insult – it is often used in reference to men and rarely used on its own. Typically you would call someone a, 'sly bugger', or a, 'little bugger' etc. Also used as a mild swearword. in place of, 'bollocks'.
Chav - Council Housing and Vulgar. This is typically applied to teenagers from poor backgrounds whose families rely on council housing, Government benefits, etc. They are also often rowdy, intimidating and like to wear a lot of sporty clothing.
Git - see, 'arse'.
Gormless – To be stupid or a moron.
Langer - Technically Irish, but has since crossed over into British dialect. This means someone who is an idiot.
Mare - As well as being a female horse, this is used in much the same way as 'cow'. It is a blunt reference to a female, often used in jest. For instance, 'cheeky mare!'
Minger - Someone who is very unattractive. Typically refers to women.
Mug – Someone who is gullible.
Numpty - A phrase commonly used in Newcastle and the surrounding region. See 'Plonker'.
Pikey - For modern day usage, see Chav. However, this can also be used in reference to gypsies (otherwise known as travellers)
Plonker – A gentle term for someone who is an idiot.
Puff – A gay man.
Prat – a gentler term for someone who is an idiot, or 'gormless'.
Shite - Especially popular in the late '90's--a more acceptable term for, 'shit'.
Slag – Also, 'male slag' is an offensive term for someone who sleeps around a lot. This is the British version of 'slut'.
Slapper – A tart who flirts outrageously and will possibly make passes at several men in one evening. Unlike slag, slapper is singularly female.
Smarmy – Someone who is 'slimy' and/or conniving.
Sod - Someone obnoxious. 'Sod off' is used as an aggressive way of telling someone to go away.
Tosser - See term, 'arse'.
Toss-Pot - See term, arse'.
Twat – See term, 'arse'.
Wanker – See term, 'arse'.

General Terminology
Arse about face – back to front.
Bender – A drinking binge.
Biscuit - Cookie
Bladdered – Drunk.
Bleedin' – Wherever you hear, 'bloody hell', you may also use, 'bleedin' 'ell'. This is the Southern term.
Bloody – Also, 'bloody hell!'. This is an expression of frustration. You may also hear, 'bleedin' Nora!'
Bloomin' – Used in place of 'bloody'. This is less coarse.
Bollocks – Originally it refers to male genitalia, but it is also used as a frustrated exclamation, much like, 'shit!'
Bonk – Sex.
Bully - A sarcastic term for 'good!'. Like, 'bully for you!' or 'oh bully'.
Chicken - A term of endearment--typically used by adults.
Chips - French fries.
Chuffed – Happy.
Ciggy - Cigarette.
Class - Something is really good. 'That's class, that is.'
Cock-up - To screw up.
Crisps - Potato chips.
Cracking – If something is cracking, something is great. Famously used in Wallace and Gromit!
Do my head in - Something that is annoying, 'does my head in'.
Dog's bollocks – If something is the dog's bollocks, it is the best of the best.
Duck - See 'Chicken'.
Fag - see 'ciggy'.
Fanny – Female genitalia.
Fanny about – Mess around.
Fit - Someone who is very attractive.
Flutter – A bet.
Gagging – To be desperate.
Graft - physical labour, 'hard graft'.
Grass - to tattle on someone, or to inform a person of someone else's wrong doing. This is also applied as a noun.
Gutted – Upset.
Having a laugh - namely, 'you having a laugh?' to make fun of/ jeer at.
Jammy – Someone who is lucky.
Jog on - A rude, blunt way of telling someone to go away.
Kip - sleep. 'I need to get some kip/I need to kip.'
Lush - Something is really gorgeous. 'That looks lush!'
Mam - See, 'Mum'. It is also worth noting that wherever someone uses the word, 'mam', they will most likely say, 'me Mam', rather than 'my mam'. This is typical of the Irish/Welsh.
Mate - A friend. It is more common for this to be used between men.
Minging - Something that is disgusting. 'That smells minging!'
Mum - Mother. You will call your mother this more often than you would, 'mom', which is virtually an Americanism.
Off your face – Someone is very drunk.
Pavement - sidewalk
Pissed - Drunk
Quality - If something is really good, it is 'quality.' Where you might use the word, 'wicked', Brits would say 'quality'. This applies to the current 18 - 25 age bracket. See 'Sound' and 'safe'for 25+ age bracket for this type of term.
Rank - See 'minging'.
Safe - Used in the late 90's referring to something that is cool.
Shag – Sex.
Shattered – Same meaning as, 'shagged' but more commonly used.
Sound - A popular mid 90's phrase for something that is, 'good'. It is also used to replace 'okay' as a term of approval and/or acceptance.
Ta' - Informal thank you. 'Ta very much.'
Taking the Mickey - also, 'are you taking the mickey?' See 'having a laugh'.
Ton - £100. £200 would be, 'a couple of ton'.
Trollied – Drunk.
Twat -as well as an insult, this means female genitalia. Also, to twat someone is to hit them.
Up the duff – Pregnant.
Wankered - Drunk
Well - to be good. This also means, 'very'. Ie, 'that book was well good.' or, 'what you said was well harsh.'

Documentation © 2007 Stupid Girl of RPG-Directory.