How many Slang words are there in the sentence below?
‘Hiya mate, fancy a cuppa and a chin-wag?’ ‘I can’t sorry pal, I’m skint. Gutted!’
Did you find them? There are 6 in total.
Mate, Cuppa, Chin-wag, Pal, Skint, Gutted.
The British are notorious for using slang.
Why do the English use Slang? It’s because they want to sound less formal. In daily life most people will tend to use slang words and phrases as it makes them feel more comfortable.
So what do you need to know them? Well, firstly, you should know that slang is mainly spoken and not written. Secondly, you should know how to use them in the right context.
Some are hilarious, some can be rude and some are… interesting…
It’s not so much the word itself that is funny but how you use it in your conversations that makes people all over the UK use them constantly. If you’re looking for a way to fit in, pick a few you like and try them out during your next English conversation.
This blog post focuses on the most popular English slang words. Never forget, knowledge is your power so let us help you unlock some of the fundamental secrets behind the slang words in the English language.
Describing an action in relation to someone/situation
Gagging – He is gagging for it.
To describe someone who is desperate to have someone or something. An expression that is not used a kind manner.
Taking the mick – I know he walks funny and they are always taking the mick out of him.
Normally used in the UK and Australia, it means tease or make fun of someone. Usually by copying what they do or say.
Blatantly/Blatant– He just lied to me – it was so blatant!
Another way to say the word is obviously. When someone does something that is so obvious and they don’t try to hide it.
Get stuffed! – Just get stuffed will ya!
When you want someone to go away, another way of saying ‘get lost’ but still remains rude.
Gormless – That boy is just so gormless!
This is a person who has no idea/clue about what is happening to him/her or even their surroundings.
Do one!!!! – Will you just do-one?
When someone is annoying you and you don’t want to listen to them any longer. It’s a way of telling them to go away but quite harsh and rude.
Conked out – I was absolutely exhausted, I just conked out in front of the telly
Slang for saying you fell asleep and that you could not help it.
Moods and feelings
Knackered – How it’s going? I’m knackered!
When you are feeling extremely tired and exhausted.
Hunky-dory – How you doing? Well, everything’s just hunky-dory
When everything in your life is fine and things are going well. A way of saying things are excellent.
Gutted – I am totally gutted/he was so gutted
This is a feeling of disappointment. When someone is really upset about something, like missing out on a exam.
Chin up
It’s an expression. For someone who is going through a bad time and to reassure them, you would respond ‘come on, chin up’.
Meaning that it would be worse.
Luvvly-jubbly – Dinner’s ready! Respond: Luvvly-jubbly
Here’s your beer! Respond: Luvvly-jubbly 🙂
A way of expressing that you are happy. When you hear some pleasing news!
Rats arse – I don’t give a rats arse.
This is when someone is fed-up and just doesn’t care anymore about the person/situation.
Off colour – You alright? You’re looking a little off colour!
This is more of a statement to say that someone looks a little ill/pale and they don’t seem their normal self.
Smashing – The holiday was great! We had a smashing time.
This word describes both a feeling or situation. That it was excellent and as a result you feel wonderful.
Sod all – Hey, it’s been ages. What you been up too?
Response; Sod all
Another word for nothing.
Hump – He has the hump with his sister at the moment.
When someone is in a bad mood or upset and has the ‘hump’ due to something that’s happened.
Strop – I tried asking him a question, he bit my head off. I think he is in a right strop.
When someone is sulking or particularly miserable. They actions and manner in which they speak shows they are not happy.
Luck
Jammy – He is so jammy.
This means, someone is lucky. This person always seems to have luck on their side and gets a result in mostly everything in life.
Fluke – I fluked it.
Having luck/chance on your side, like passing a exam.
Outcome of a situation
Shambles – They left the place in a shambles!
A word to describe something/somewhere that was really messy or chaotic.
Dog’s dinner – You’ve made a dog’s dinner of that
When you’ve made a mess of something, doesn’t have to be in relation to dinner but anything like a project.
Easy Peasy– How did you get on with that? It was easy peasy
Used in an informal sense, when a task was easy and simple.
Sod’s law– It’s just sobs-law. “God, I’m so late and on top of that, I just missed the train! Aaargh!!!!”
Something that goes wrong at the worse possible time imaginable. Also known as Murray’s Law.
Money
Skint – I can’t go out tonight, I’m totally skint.
When you’re broke and have no money left to spend.
Minted – I just got a big bonus at work so I am minted this month.
To be rich, have lots more money than usual to spend.
Splashing out – I feel like splashing out on a new car.
To have lots of money to spend and you can afford to treat yourself and others.
Rip-off – Those tickets were a complete rip-off.
When you could have found the same thing cheaper elsewhere. What you brought was overpriced and not worth the money you spent. You feel bad because you got cheated out of money.
We should mention, it’s best to avoid using slang with strangers or if you’re in a formal situation. Try and become comfortable with the context of them first or you could come across being quite rude and you could find yourself in an awkward situation.
If you’ve come across slang words that you like, please share them. Or if you’ve heard any that you are unsure about, we’d be happy to explain them here.
Thank you.