So maybe you’ve moved to the British Isles, and now you’re flummoxed by the tide of odd colloquialisms those Limeys keep using. Or maybe you have a mate recently arrived in the States, and you can’t understand a thing the cheeky bugger is saying. No matter the reason, British slang can be pretty confusing for lots of Yanks, so here’s a quick list of British sayings to help you navigate the poppycock.
Mate: Basic, I know, but this word is very important. Most Americans know it from the Australians, but one should remember that they first earned of from their English ancestors. The word is directly equivalent to the word “friend,” but in a way, it is infinitely more usable. Lots of British islanders tack it onto the end of a sentence as punctuation, or use it in the same way that Americans might say “man.” When in England, it is very common to hear someone shout, “Oi, mate! Give me another pint, will ya?”
Bollocks: Another great bit of British slang, which loosely translates to testicles, but whose use is in no way restricted to just anatomy. The word bollocks is often used as an exclamation to announce displeasure. For instance, it can be said aloud after stubbing a toe to great success. However, it can also be used in much the same way that Americans say, “That’s bull!” But the fun doesn’t stop there. Bollocks can also be used in a variety of phrases, like “It’s cold enough to freeze the bollocks off a brass monkey!” However, if you’d like to say something is cool, you can also pleasantly announce that whatever you like is “the dog’s bollocks.” Don’t ask me why, that’s just the way it is.
And Bob’s Your Uncle!: There’s a lot of history behind this one that most Englishman don’t know, so I don’t really see why you should either. However, this is a fantastic bit of British slang that you definitely need to be acquainted with. Word for word, it means, “And that’s that!” So, for instance, if you quite liked the beach, you could sell your house, buy a shack in Brighton, kick back, and Bob’s your uncle! Wonderful phrase, isn’t it?
Taking the piss: There’s actually no direct translation for this in American English, but roughly it’s somewhere between “goofing around” and “making fun of.” Really, it can mean both in British slang. For instance, one could say the hosts of the hit BBC show Top Gear take the piss, as they like to goof off and have a laugh. However, you can also say a heckler at a comedy club is taking the piss as well, since he’s being an irritation. You can also say someone is “taking the Mickey” as a slightly nicer alternative. However, this often means someone is making someone else (or you) mad, instead of fooling around. Again, don’t ask me why, just know that it is so.
Blow me: Before you get too excited, this does not in any sense of the word mean the same thing in British slang as it does in American English. Rather than being an obscene expression of contempt, this really means “Well, blow me down!” as in the person saying it is surprised or impressed. However, the other phrase does exist in England (thanks in large part to American television) so remember to listen for context clues to help you out.
Glaswegian Kiss: Though this expression does originate from Scotland, it does not, in any way, relate to a display of affection. To give someone the Glaswegian Kiss is to head butt them forcefully, often in a pub setting. This originates from the Glasgow reputation for toughness, and the fact that most Glaswegians have little tolerance for taking the piss. It’s a tough city, and it comes with an equally tough bit of British slang.
Clever Clogs: This one is pretty similar to the American expression “smarty pants.” It’s used the same, and though it should indicate that someone is very intelligent, it is hardly ever delivered as a compliment. Usually it’s an indicator that someone has done a bit too much schooling, and should try being a little more useful.
Well, that by no means encompasses all the fun British slang has to offer, but it’s all we have time for today. Hopefully the next time you hear someone say they’re just taking the piss, or that you’re speaking bollocks, you’ll have a much clearer idea of what they’re saying-and maybe even have a grand comeback ready. But that’s all the time we’ve got, so Bob’s your uncle and cheers!
Source:
“The Best of British.” EffingPot
