Author: Colleen
Oh, if only I knew how to crack the Cockney code! No, today’s post is devoted to the more mainstream oft-used words and expressions that you’re likely to hear on a daily basis. As you’ll see, it isn’t so much that this particular word list isn’t shared with American English, but, rather, that even these shared words will have subtle differences in meaning. To illustrate, I’ll start out with:
brilliant = great (as in, “That’s brilliant!” instead of “That’s great!”)
lovely = great, wonderful
no worries = no problem
hiya = hello / hi there
cheers = goodbye, thank you (also used to toast drinks)
mate = friend (it’s used much more often, though, as male Americans would probably say, ‘man’ or ‘dude’ than as’friend’–often accompanying greetings and goodbyes; e.g., “Hiya, mate,” “Cheers, mate”)
bollocks = literally means “testicles,” but is used in the same sense as a hearty American “bulls**t.”
rubbish = nonsense; used similarly as “bollocks” (e.g., “Oh, you’re talking rubbish”)
bloody / bugger = essentially curse words in the vein of the “F” bomb.
cheeky = being a smart alec
chuffed = pleased, excited
daft = stupid
dodgy = shady, untrustworthy
engaged = busy
fancy = desire (e.g., “Do you a fancy a pint?”)
peckish = hungry
gutted = disappointed, upset
gobsmacked = surprised, shocked
knackered = tired, exhausted
Sorry? = Pardon?
pissed = drunk
taking the piss = making fun
posh = fancy, high class
straightaway = right away
Quite! = Absolutely!
quid = British pound
right = okay (not as in, “I’m okay,” but such as, “Okay, I’ll get to that.”
ring = call
row = argument
sacked = fired
fit = hot (as in very attractive: “You’re looking quite fit!”)
sod off / piss off = get lost, beat it
ta = thanks
whinge = whine
And when it comes to property, London Relocation Ltd. will do the translation for you!
Related posts:
- Speaking the Queen’s English (Food–Part 1)
- Speaking the Queen’s English (Food–Part 4)
- Speaking the Queen’s English (Getting Around London)
- Speaking the Queen’s English (Food–Part 2)
- Speaking the Queen’s English (Home & Garden)
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