If you went to the UK tomorrow and talked to someone in their twenties, would you understand the slang they are using? I recently picked my 26-year old niece´s brains about British slang and selected some expressions, phrasal verbs and words that may help you grasp what´s going on in a dialogue.
EXPRESSING HAPPINESS
To be chuffed to bits – to be very pleased about something
E.g. I was chuffed to bits when I got promoted at work.
That really cracked me up – I started laughing uncontrollably
E.g. That new comedian on TV really cracked me up.
SAYING SOMETHING IS GREAT
Awesome/sick/cool
E.g. That party was sick last night
SAYING SOMEONE IS CRAZY
She´s lost the plot!/He´s cray-cray!/He´s not all there! – He/She is crazy
E.g. I have a feeling she´s lost the plot! It just doesn´t make sense what she´s saying!
VOCABULARY TO DO WITH DRINKING ALCOHOL
Bladdered/pissed/smashed/wasted/steaming– Completely drunk
E.g. He was so wasted last night at the pub.
What do you fancy?/What´s your tipple?/What´s your poison? – What would you like to drink?
Booze – alcohol drinks
E.g. Let´s get the booze in!
Get a round in – to buy drinks for everybody in your group (common in a UK pub)
E.g. I´ll get this round in.
Sam: “I´ll meet you at the pub at 8pm.”
Julie: “Cool beans, man!” – OK, fine by me!
He is a lightweight/He can´t handle his drink – He gets drunk easily.
E.g. He´s such a lightweight. After a pint, he´s gone. Can´t handle his drink.
MISCELLANEOUS
That really cringed me out – That made me feel uncomfortable
E.g. Oh my god, that film really cringed me out!
Rain on someone´s parade – Prevent someone from enjoying an occasion/event
E.g. Don´t rain on my parade! I´ve been wanting to go to this music festival for so long.
Dodgy – strange/low quality
E.g. That food tastes a bit dodgy. Wouldn´t eat it if I were you!
Skive off work – to avoid work by staying away or leaving early.
E.g. She´s skived off work again today. I´ll have to step in for her.
Skint – no money
E.g. God! I´m absolutely skint this week. I get paid tomorrow though.
Absolute shambles – complete mess
E.g. That company is an absolute shambles. Not working for them again.
Aggy – annoying/aggravating
E.g. She is always getting on someone´s nerves. She´s so aggy!
Faffing about/around – To aimlessly waste time doing useless things
E.g. Stop faffing around! Let´s get on with the job we have to do.
If you are interested in learning more British slang, check out this article: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/british-phrases-english-language-sayings-britain-england-uk-different-a8138046.html.
