"The dreaded lurgy" originates from 1950s British TV show "The Goon Show," in which one character has to deal with a national epidemic of an unidentified illness. "She's great fun, but she's a few sandwiches short of a picnic.". Now that's a proper breakfast.". "Well, this has all gone a bit pear-shaped.". ", This quintessentially British idiom derives from the Dutch "pap" and "kak," which translate as "soft" and "dung.". Don't over-egg the pudding. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Marvin played guitar in Cliff Richard's backing band in the 1960s. This is a shambles! The idiom was first used to describe the thick, choking smogs that settled over London, caused by lots of people burning fossil fuels in a close vicinity, as early as 1200. 11. Although it's more often used as a synonym for raincoat, an anorak is something slightly different in playground slang. "What are you up to this weekend? ", Atask performed in an awkward or uncomfortable fashion, usually clumsily, would be described as "cack-handed.". The phrase originates from the game "Chinese Whispers" commonly played at children's parties. The name of a strongly-brewed cup of English breakfast tea with milk -- the way that tea is most commonly drunk in the UK. ", "Joe's children are absolute rascals they tied my shoelaces together last week!". "Pull" can also be used as a verb. It's related to an earlier sense of knacker that meant "to kill.". He was mortal.". ", Similar to "nerd" or "geek" but less derogatory someone that takes academic study very seriously might be described as a "swot. The term comes from the Scottish slang word "ming," meaning faeces. Having made such a big impact following his arrival from Porto in January 2022, there was a real expectation that the 26-year-old could help propel to another Premier League title this season. It includes quite a few fun and unique ways for people to express that they are happy or otherwise share positive sentiments. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Master a variety of British insults and you'll be prepared to reply with some snarky put-downs. Jonathon Green, Chambers Slang Dictionary (2008) provides three meanings for the verb phrase piss up, none of them very similar to Ayto & Simpson's definition: piss up v. 1 {1960s-1970s} ( U.S.) to vomit 2 see PISS OFF v. (2) ["to annoy"]. I'm cream crackered.". Although the origins of this phrase are largely unknown, a gaff in the 18th-century was a music hall or theatre, and so it's believed to derive from this. ", In his stand-up show, British comedian Michael MacIntyre said: "You can actually use any word in the English language and substitute it to mean drunk. "Tinkle" refers to a phone's ring, while "blower" is slang or telephone and refers to the device that predated phones on Naval ships. ", A "par" breaches social and common courtesy, eg, a disrespectful comment could be seen as a "par. "Ha! He's turned into such a swot! Leg it. This phrase became mainstream in the USA in the 1920s despite its British origins, but its popularity in the States has dwindled since the turn of the century. ", "Miffed" possibly derives from the German "muffen," meaning "to sulk.". Benders can last over 24 hours, and so you might say that someone is on "a weekend bender," or a "three-day bender. Therefore, if you're "having a butchers," you're having a look at something. ", Something full to the brim, or rammed, could be described as "chockalock. To "take the Mickey" means to take liberties at the expense of others -- and can be used in both a lighthearted and an irritated fashion. or "Et voila!". ", Someone that makes comments just to spark controversy or argument might be labelled a "wind-up merchant.". Have a gander I believe this expression originates in the English county of Cheshire. If you're "winding someone up," you're making them tense or irritated in the same way you wind up a Jack-in-the-box before it pops. Do you know anyone that might be interested?". ", "What's happened here? Since then, the phrase hasevolved and refers to something at the "height of cool. The origins of the phrase are largely debated online, however, it's believed that "to nick" as in to steal influenced the slang term for prison, as being imprisoned is similar to being "stolen" away. So, if you're "ready for the knacker's yard," you're exhausted beyond relief. The very British equivalent to "Hey presto!" A "geezer" is a man that could be described as "suave" or "dapper," and is often suited and booted. Yes! 3. ", Someone on a spree of excessive drinking and mischief is "on a bender. "Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me?". "Stop being such a wind-up merchant and be serious for one second! "Our Christmas dinner had everything from sprouts to Yorkshire puddings. Something untrue -- often made up for dramatic effect. . The phrase was first documented in the BBC's "Lenny Henry Christmas Special" in 1987. "The full Monty" historically refers to an old tailor called Sir Montague Burton. ", "She's come down with the dreaded lurgy. ", Someone that lacks common knowledge might be described as "dim," whilst someone that's intelligent might be described as "bright.". 2017. "Quid" is British slang for "pounds," eg, "five quid" means 5. Its reported creator, British rapper Lethal Bizzle, elusivelytold the Guardian that the word "means anything you want. After a quick review, you'll be able to confidently go out there and build connections with new friends! A repair job that's beencompleted in a hurry and will probably fall apart reasonably soon is considered a "botch job. Rob is the only one on the team who does not faff around in the office. "Thomas is such an anorak when it comes to train trivia.". This classic phrase is another way of telling someone that their opinion is not appreciated in the given scenario. ", "He's obsessed with anything that happens on this street. Fortunately, there are quite a few descriptive British slang terms that paint quite a vivid picture to anyone who knows what the informal words mean. The name of a strongly-brewed cup of English breakfast tea with milk the way that tea is most commonly drunk in the UK. He popped his clogs, didn't he", Something that is nonsense, rubbish, or simply untrue might be described as "poppycock. Mad as a hatter: madstemming from back in the day when hatters used a manufacturing process for felt that, indeed, made them mad (mercury poisoning) Gormless: clueless; slow witted. However, other people believe that "shirty" has connotations of being dishevelled. 3. To "splash out" means spending significant amounts of money on a particular item or event. It is often deemed as unnecessary or over-the-top. Sailors would blow down a pipe to their recipient, where a whistle at the end of the pipe would sound to spark attention. Some believe it's derived from the Dutch word "blute," meaning "bare." A "botch job" can also refer to anything that's been done haphazardly, like a work assignment. Congratulations! Of course, there also have to be slang options to describe actions and behaviors people engage in on a regular basis. "Oh, nothing exciting to report. ", In his stand-up show, British comedian Michael MacIntyre said: "You can actually use any word in the English language and substitute it to mean drunk. This could be due to the lengths that the person will have to go to in order to complete the task. Eg, "half past seven," and "ten to six.". Each term is partnered with a description and example. Meaning: Taxi. Luckily, the meaning today is much less shocking. Others believe the word is a contraction of the 17th century phrase "by our lady," and is blasphemous. Just your bog-standard dorm, really.". Codswallop - nonsense. ", Something unpleasant, unappetising, or highly unattractive might be described as "minging.". It could be used to symbolize disbelief, or just to talk about a man's private parts. As a result, "pinch punch, first of the month" was a way of warding off witches and bad luck for the near future. However, in the UK, someone that's "pissed" is most probably drunk. "Taking the biscuit" is the equivalent of taking the nonexistent medal for foolishness or incredulity. It's unclear why Brits appear to favour analogue time-telling while Americans go for the digital format. However, "the full Monty" now usually refers to taking something as far as it can go, similar to "the whole nine yards.". "Over-egging the pudding" means embellishing or over-doing something to the extent that it's detrimental to the finished product. If you're going to have a roast, have the full Monty!". He pulled a blinder there.". A "good old chinwag" is a good chat, catch-up, or gossip with someone. In the US, buzzard denotes vultures, but also a contemptible or rapacious person to use definition 3 from the online Merriam-Webster.The most common phrase I'm personally familiar with is to say you old buzzard, usually said to some old guy who you are half-jokingly saying is lecherous or a cheater or some other un-good thing.. Although the origins of this phrase are largely unknown, a gaff in the 18th-century was a music hall or theater, and so it's believed to derive from this. Something that is "tickety-boo" is satisfactory and in good order. A "dog's dinner" is a mess or fiasco sometimes also referred to as a "dog's breakfast.". Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Every language has a few phrases that don't always translate well and the British English has some absolute corkers. ", Someone that comes across as scheming or untrustworthy might be described as "smarmy. Cock up - a mistake, as a verb "to cock up" is to make a mistake. ", "I haven't seen Tom since he started revising for his exams. "Pop" has evolved from "cock," and when someone "cocked" their clogs, the toes of their clogs pointed up in the air as they lay down dead. Do you know anyone who might be interested? . "I could just about deal with the dog barking at 5:30a.m., but the lawnmower at 3 a.m. really takes the biscuit.". Some believe it's derived from the Dutch word "blute," meaning "bare." Derived from the Newcastle sociolect, "mortal" was made widely known across the country in 2011 by reality TV show "Geordie Shore.". In the 1960s, someone that was unfashionable might be nicknamed a "wally," according to dictionary.com. ", "Sam did a botch job on these shelves they're wonky! Three sheets to the wind - drunk. "I'm trying to flog my old sofa. This is an England expression for something that takes you by surprise and is something you might often hear on Doctor Who. Since then, the phrase has evolved and refers to something popular or cool. Barmy. Although no one is completely sure of the word's origins, it could derive from thewords "cod" and "wallop," which historically meant "imitation" and "beer" respectively implying that "codswallop" is the kind of rubbish you make up when drunk. This classic phrase is another way of telling someone that their opinion is not appreciated in the given scenario. A "geezer" is a man that could be described as "suave" or "dapper," and is often suited and booted. A slap and a kick for being so quick!". "Pull" can also be used as a verb. The origins of the word are widely disputed. It's Sod's law. The phrase is sometimes shortened to "give me a tinkle.". To "pull a blinder"involves achieving something difficult faultlessly and skilfully. Cheers. "Mint" might be used when referring to something of the highest calibre.
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