Copyright (c) 1997 Victoria Burrell-Hrencecin.
I started writing this "dictionary" of Britishisms back in 1997, after a year of living here in the US. I've been adding to it ever since. Even now, I still keep remembering (or being reminded of) British words or expressions that I'd forgotten about. This is a work in progress; continuously updated as I find new terms, so keep checking back.
Warning - Profanity Alert! Some of these brilliant Britishisms are a little brash and bracing!
A
Ace! - n. = Cool!
Afters - n. = Dessert. (See "Sweet", "Pudding").
Anorak - n. =
1. Padded PVC hooded jacket with zipper +/or snaps. In the UK, the anorak became most popular in the late 1970s to mid-1980s when its cheap and hard wearing properties made it the jacket of choice for school kids. It became so popular that at many schools almost every boy had one. However, in the late 1980s the anorak became unpopular and was associated with geeks and nerds, helping to create the British slang term "anorak" for such people (because "trainspotters" would supposedly wear anoraks whilst collecting numbers on cold railway platforms - see "trainspotters"). Because of this, it became highly unfashionable and for a time, wearers became the subject of ridicule.
2. n. (slang) = Geek / nerd. A person who has a very strong interest, perhaps obsessive, in obscure subjects, such as train-spotting (see "trainspotter").
Anti-clockwise - adj. = Counter-clockwise.
Arse - n. = ass.
B
Badge - n. = Pin. (That small, circular metal thing you pin onto T-shirts, bags, etc, usually with a funny slogan or logo, etc.)
Bangers - n. = Sausages. E.g. "Bangers and mash" = Sausages and mashed potato.
Barking - adj. = Crazy / loopy. E.g. "She's absolutely barking!" (Compare "Potty" and "Barmy")
Barmy - adj. = Crazy / insane, e.g. "It drives me barmy!" (Compare "Barking" and "Potty").
Bee's Knees - n. The best, the most awesome. E.g. "She thought he was the bee's knees." Similar expression to "the cat's miaow".
Berk - n. (slang) = Idiot. (Milder than Pillock, Plonker, Prick or Git).
Bell - n. = A phone call. "I'll give you a bell".
Bill - n. = Check. (The thing you ask for, in a restaurant, at the end of the meal.)
Bin - n. Trash can / garbage can. (Short for "rubbish bin". Compare "waste-paper basket")
Bird - n. (slang) = Chick / girl.
Biscuit - n. =
1. Cookie (sweet, as in chocolate chip)
2. Cracker (salty, to go with cheese)
Bits and Bobs - n. (pl) = Various things. "I just had to pick up all my bits and bobs."
Blighty - n. = "Britain", e.g. "Buy some tea next time you're over in Blighty."
Blimey! - (mild curse word/ expletive) = Wow! Dang! Damn! Used as an expression of surprise, e.g. "Blimey! What a big one!" Derives from the curse, "God blind me!" (Compare "Crikey!" and "Struth!")
Bloke - n. = Guy. (Typically used by or referring to a man of lower to lower-middle class. Compare "Chap".)
Bloody - adj. (swear word) = Horrible / awful. Similar to "Frickin'". Used to emphasize awfulness, hellishness, etc. E.g. "What a bloody horrible day!" or "That bloody telephone!"
As an expletive - "Bloody hell!" = Shit!
Bog - n. (slang) = Toilet.
Bog roll - n. (slang) = Toilet paper.
Bollocks - n. (swear word / expletive) =
1. Balls / scrotum, e.g. "He got kicked in the bollocks."
2. Bullshit! e.g. "That's total bollocks!"
Bonnet - n. = Hood (of a car).
Boot - n. = Trunk (of a car).
Braces - n. = Suspenders (to hold up pants). (See "Suspenders").
Bracket - n. = Parenthesis. (When referring to markings used in a sentence).
Brilliant - adj. = Excellent / Fantastic. e.g. "That ride was brilliant!"
Brill - adj. = abbreviation of Brilliant.
Bugger -
1. n. (coarse swear word / expletive) = Jerk, idiot, bastard. Can be used as a harsh put-down, e.g. "You f-ing bugger!" or as a friendly jibe, e.g. "You silly old bugger!" (Compare "Sod".)
2. v. (coarse expletive) = (similar to "fuck") = e.g. "Oh bugger it!" or "Bugger off!"
(Compare "Sod it / Sod off!")
Derives from the slang word, "buggery" = rape of a boy or man, by a man.
Bum -
1.- n. = Butt / rear end.
2.- v. = To beg for / ask for / steal something openly, e.g. "Can I bum a fag?" (Can I steal a cigarette?) Or "Can I bum a lift?" (Can I have a ride?)
Bunk -
1. n. = To do a bunk = To run away / to disappear.
2. v. = To play hooky. E.g. "Let's bunk off school!" (Compare "Skive").
C
Cack-handed - adj. = clumsy, awkward.
Candy floss - n. = Cotton Candy
Carry on -
1. n. = Fiasco, drama, e.g. "What a carry on!"
2. v. = To carry on = To go on, to continue (in conversation, after a pause or diversion from the subject.) e.g. "Carry on..."
Chap - n. = Guy. (Typically used by or referring to a man of upper or upper-middle class. Compare "Bloke".)
Chatter-box - n. = Someone who talks a lot, e.g. "She's such a chatter-box!"
Chav - n. (slang) = Derogatory term describing a young white person of lower / working class who typically wears the brash or trashy ghetto fashion characterized by designer label sportswear, baggy pants and excessive gold jewelry (or "bling"). Also characterized by coarse / common language, working-class / Cockney accent, ignorance, bad behavior, and an anti-authority attitude. Derives from the Romani (Gypsy) word, "chavi" meaning "child". Equivalent in the USA might be "white trash".
Chavvy - adj. (slang) = Trashy, ghetto-style, tasteless, unrefined. Usually referring to clothing. Something worn by or used by a "Chav" (see above).
Cheeky - adj. = impudent or irreverent, typically in an endearing or amusing way. Mischievous / sassy.
Cheerio! - (expression) = Bye! See ya later!
Cheers! - (expression) =
1. Thanks! E.g. when a quick, informal "thanks" is all that's needed, such as when someone passes you something. (Compare "Ta"). Can sometimes be used sarcastically.
2. Sometimes used instead of "Cheerio!" to mean "Bye! See ya later!"
Chemist - n. = Pharmacy / Drug store.
Chin-wag - n. (slang) = Chat. Casual conversation. Compare "natter". E.g. "Whenever they get together, they always have a good old chin-wag."
Chips - n. (pl) = French fries. Not to be confused with "crisps". (see "Crisps"). British chips are typically bigger, fatter and soggier than French fries and they are often served with battered fish, (i.e. "fish 'n' chips") or battered chicken, or on their own with a bowl of curry sauce. (A popular pub snack).
Chuffed - adj. = Proud, pleased, delighted, excited. Similar to "pumped". E.g. "She was chuffed to be included in the invitation."
Clod-hoppers - n. (pl)(slang) = Big, chunky, heavy, ungainly shoes that make a noise when walking around. "Blimey, you can hear him coming a mile off, with those clod-hoppers he's wearing."
Cock up - n. = Screw-up, mistake.
Corker - n. = A really outstanding or remarkable thing, e.g. "That was a corker of a joke!".
Cow - n. (slang) = Bitch. Derogatory term, aimed at a woman.
Crikey! - (mild curse/ expletive) = Wow! Dang! Damn! Used as an expression of surprise, e.g. "Crikey! What a big one!" Euphemism for the curse, "Christ!" (Compare "Blimey!" and "Struth!")
(Although popularized by Australian movie stars, Crikey is 100% a Britishism!)
Crisps - n. (pl) = Potato chips. Not to be confused with "chips". (See "Chips") British crisps usually come in small individual sized packets (see "packets") of many different flavours, such as salt 'n' vinegar, barbeque beef, smokey bacon, etc, and are a very popular between-meal snack.
Crumbs! - Wow! Gosh! Dang! Another euphemism for the curse, "Christ!" (Compare "Crikey!")
Cushion - n. = Pillow. A small, firm pillow used on a couch, (see "Sofa" and "Settee"). In England, the word "pillow" exclusively refers to a bed pillow, for your head. (Not any kind of pillow).
D
Daft - adj. = Silly, clownish, stupid, e.g. "You look daft in that hat!" or "You'd be daft to do that!"
Dear - adj. = Expensive. E.g. "That bottle of wine is rather dear."
Diary - n. = Daily planner, calendar, date-book. (Not just a private journal, although it can also be that).
Dimbo - n. (slang) = Silly idiot.
Dither - v. = to hesitate, dawdle, waste time. E.g. "Stop dithering and make up your mind." (Compare "Faff").
Do - n. = Party. E.g. "They had a big do for his 50th birthday."
Dodgy - adj. - Suspicious, doubtful, dubious, not Kosher.
Drat! - Expression = "Dang!"" Damn!" (expressing annoyance)
Drawing pin - n. = thumb tack
Drivel - n. = Stupid, careless or meaningless talk. Sometimes seemingly self-important, but ultimately nonsense. Almost like "bullshit". (Compare "Twaddle" and "Tosh".)
Duvet - n. = Comforter. (But slightly different to a comforter). Usually padded with down feathers, a duvet is like a comforter but thicker and has a removable, washable cover. Most people in England have a duvet on their beds.
E
Engaged - adj. = Busy (as in phone signal), e.g. "I dialed her number, but it was engaged".
F
Faff - v. (slang) = To waste time, dither, goof off. E.g. "Stop faffing around and get on with it." (Compare "Dither").
Fag - n. (slang) = Cigarette. (Not a gay person!)
Fag end - n. = Cigarette butt.
Famished - adj. = Starving hungry. (More commonly used in England than in U.S.)
Fancy - v. To like, to want, to find attractive / appealing. Often referring to someone of the opposite sex, e.g. "She really fancied him." Or often referring to food or drink, e.g. "Do you fancy a beer?"
Fanny - n. (slang) = Vagina and female front parts. (Not butt). (See "Bum").
Film - n. = Movie.
Fit - adj. = Hot, sexy.
Fiver - n. = A five pound note. £5.
Fortnight - n. = Two weeks. E.g. "We're going on holiday to Spain for a fortnight." (See "holiday").
Fringe - n. = Bangs. (When referring to a hair cut).
Full stop - n. = Period. (When referring to the grammar of a sentence).
G
Geezer - n. (slang) = A term for a man, sort of like "dude" or "guy". Sometimes referring to an old man, but often (in the UK) just referring to a quirky, crafty, self-educated, even stylish bloke (see "bloke") - maybe even a bit of a "hipster".
Get-up - n. = Fancy outfit, dressy clothing, e.g. "Ooh, that's a posh get-up you've got on there!"
Git - n. (slang) = Jerk, idiot, bastard (often in reference to an older person, e.g. "Stupid old git!")
Glandular Fever - n. = Mono / the "kissing disease".
Gob - n. (slang) = Mouth. Usually used in a deliberately offensive or teasing way, e.g. "Shut ya gob!"
Gob-smacked - adj. (slang) = Astounded, shocked. E.g. "I was absolutely gob-smacked when he showed up!"
Go on! - Expression = "No!" or "No way!" (implying disbelief)
Gutted - adj. = Devastated, extremely disappointed. E.g. "He was gutted when he heard he'd lost."
H
Hand-bag - n. = Ladies purse / over-shoulder bag.
Hen night - n. = Bachelorette Party. (Compare "Stag night")
Holiday - n. = Vacation, e.g. "I'm going on holiday to Spain."
Holidays - n. (pl) = Summer break, e.g. "What did you do during the holidays?" means "What did you do during the long summer break?" Not to be confused with Christmas or other occasions in the year.
Hols - n. (pl) = Short for "Holidays" (see above).
Hoover -
1. n. = Vacuum cleaner. Where use of the brand name has replaced the object. (Just like "Kleenex" = "tissue" in the US).
2. v. = To vacuum. E.g. "I'm just going to hoover up those crumbs."
J
Jacket potato - n. = Baked potato
Jam - n. = Jelly / Preserve. Made from fruit + spread on bread. Usually has bits of fruit in it.
Jaw - v. (slang) = To talk, chat, converse, gossip. Quote from a Paul McCartney song: "We could jaw through the night, talk about a range of subjects, anything you like."
Jelly - n. = Jello. A dessert made from gelatin. Eaten in a bowl with ice-cream or cream.
Jumper - n. = Knitted wool sweater.
K
Kerfuffle - n. = a commotion, mess, or fuss, especially one caused by conflicting views, unfortunate timings or misunderstandings. "Oh, what a kerfuffle!"
Kip -
1. n. = A nap / sleep. E.g. "Try and get a bit of kip."
2. v. = To take a nap / to get some sleep. E.g. "I'm going to kip."
Knackered - adj. = Exhausted, tired.
Knickers - n. = Ladies underwear / panties.
("Don't get your knickers in a twist!")
Knob - n. (slang) = Penis.
Knob-head - n. (slang) = Idiot / Dickhead
Knock up - v. (slang) = To awaken someone or get them up, by knocking on their front door loudly. E.g. "On the walk to school each morning, Sharon would knock up Tracey, and they would walk together." (Not to be confused with "to get pregnant"!)
L
Lift -
1. n. = Elevator.
2. n. = Ride. (E.g, "Would you like a lift to the station?")
Loo - n. (slang) = Toilet. Derives from the French, L'eau = water.
Loo roll - n. (slang) = toilet paper.
Lorry - n. = Truck. (Of the large, commercial variety, designed to carry freight goods.)
M
Mac - n. = Waterproof raincoat. (Short for "Macintosh") First sold in 1824 and named after its Scottish inventor, Charles Macintosh.
Marmalade - n. = preserve made from bitter oranges (e.g. Seville oranges), to spread on bread or toast, usually with orange peel in it.
Marmite - n. = popular spread, made from brewer's yeast, with distinctive, salty, beefy taste. Spread thinly on bread or toast.
Mate - n. (slang) = Friend / pal / buddy. Usually of same sex, but could be of either sex. Usually used by men to each other, increasingly used by women too.
M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) - n. = Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
N
Nappy - n. = Diaper
Narky - adj. (slang) = Irritable, defensive, prickly, argumentative. "Don't get all narky with me!"
Natter -
1. n. Chat, talk, e.g. "to have a natter"
2. v. To chat, to talk, e.g. "She loves to natter on the phone for hours"
Natterer - n. = Someone who talks alot. (See "Chatterbox").
Nick - v. = To steal.
Nicked - adj. = stolen.
Nithered - adj. = Freezing cold, e.g. "My hands are nithered!"
Nosh - n. (slang) = Food.
Nowt - n. (Coloquial northern slang) = Nothing / zero. Derived from the word, "naught".
Nutter - n. = Crazy person.
P
Packet
1. n. = (Informal slang) - a lot of money, a bundle, an arm and a leg, e.g. "That coat costs a packet!"
2. n. = a common term for commercial packaging, such as bag, carton, container, or package, e.g. "I fancy a packet of crisps". (See "crisps").
Palaver - n. = A long, boring, complicated and seemingly pointless exercise, e.g. "What a palaver that was!"
Pants - n. = Men's underwear. (Not "trousers"). Sometimes used as a mild expletive or adjective, "Oh pants!" or "That's total pants!" = (That's total crap).
Party poppers - n. = popular table object at Christmas Dinner parties in England. It emits a loud popping noise by means of a small friction-actuated explosive charge that is emitted by pulling a string or by compressed air when released.
Pavlova - n. = A popular English summer dessert, made of a large meringue nest, with fresh whipped cream and fresh fruit (usually strawberries) on top.
Pecker - n. = Chin. (Not penis!) E.g. "Keep your pecker up!" means "Keep your chin up / Keep smiling / Be brave!"
Peckish - adj. = Mildly hungry, e.g. "I'm feeling a bit peckish".
Petrol - n. = Gasoline.
Pillock - n. (slang) = Idiot. (compare "Git", "Plonker") e.g. "What a Pillock!"
Pinch -
1. v. = to steal, e.g. "He pinched my purse!"
2. n. = Just about / barely, e.g."I can manage that at a pinch".
3. n. = Tight corner / difficulty, e.g. "I can help you if you're in a pinch"
Pissed - adj. (Coarse slang) = Drunk / inebriated. (Not angry).
Pissed off - adj. (Coarse slang) = Angry / annoyed.
Plastered - adj. = Drunk.
Plonker -
1. n. (slang) = Idiot (milder than "Prick") e.g. "You stupid Plonker!"
2. n. (slang) = Penis
Ponce - n. (slang) = Poser. E.g. "He was such a Ponce!"
Poppers - n. = Snaps (on jackets, clothing, etc)
Post -
1. n. = The mail, e.g. "I'll just go and collect the post."
2. v. = To mail, e.g. "Could you post my letter for me please?"
Postbox - n. = Mailbox.
Postman - n. = Mailman / Mail delivery person.
Potty - adj. = Insane / crazy, e.g. "It drives me potty!" "She's gone potty!" (Compare "Barking" and "Barmy")
Prang -
1. n. (slang) = A crash / accident (in a car, airplane, etc).
2. v. (slang) = To crash / have an accident (in a car, airplane, etc).
Prick - n.(slang) =
1. n. (slang) = Jerk / Idiot (harsher than "Plonker") e.g. "God! He's such a Prick!"
2. n. (slang) = Penis
Pudding - n. = Dessert. (See "Afters" and "Sweet").
Pull -
1. v. = to attract successfully a member of the opposite sex into (some degree of) sexual liaison.
2. n. = the act of attracting someone of the opposite sex. E.g. "I'm on the pull tonight!", "I think he's pulled tonight!"
Punter - n. = Customer / Client. (Often of a Prostitute or Gambling institution).
Purse - n. = Ladies wallet or coin purse, just big enough to contain bills + coins, not a hand-bag. (See "hand-bag").
Q
Queue -
1. n. = Line (of people). Derived from the French word, "queue" meaning "tail".
2. v. = To queue up = To get in line.
Quid - n. (slang) = Pound(s) / £. E.g. "Those shoes cost 20 quid."
Quite - adj. = Fairly / reasonably, e.g. "That was quite nice" = "That was OK, nothing special."
Depends on tone of voice. Sometimes it can also mean "very" as in "You are quite right", if said emphatically.
R
Rather! - adj. = Definitely / wow!
Redundant - adj. = To be "made redundant" = To be fired from a job. (Compare "Sacked").
Ring -
1. n. = A phone call, e.g. "I'll give you a ring tomorrow."
2. v. = To call on the phone, e.g. "Ring me tomorrow at this number."
Roundabout - n. = Circle drive / Circular intersection. (There really isn't an equivalent in the US, as these are extremely rare, and most Americans don't know how to navigate them!)
Rubber - n. = Eraser. (Not to be confused with a prophylactic!)
Rubbish - n. = Trash / garbage. Often used as a mild expletive or adjective, "Oh rubbish!" or "That's total rubbish!" = (That's total crap).
Rubbish bin - n. = Trash can / garbage can. (Compare "waste-paper basket").
S
Sack - v. = To fire someone from a job.
Sacked - adj. = To be sacked = To be fired from a job. (Compare "Redundant").
Settee - n. = Couch. (From the old English word, "settle" meaning somewhere to sit and settle.) (Compare "Sofa").
Shag -
1. v. (slang) = To have sex. (Similar to "screw" / milder than "fuck"). E.g. "They were shagging on the couch".
2. n. (slang) = A screw / an act of sex. E.g. "Let's have a shag!"
Shambles - n. = Mess, bad shape, plan gone wrong. "The house was in a shambles," or "The rehearsal was a bit of a shambles."
Shank's Pony - n. (slang) = Walking, e.g. "Best to go by Shank's Pony."
Sick - adj. = queasy / nauseous / sick to the stomach. (Not used in the general sense of being unwell).
Skewiff - adj. = Crooked, skewed, unbalanced. (Compare "Wonky")
Skive / Skive off - v. = To play hooky. "Let's skive off school!" (Compare "Bunk").
Slag
1. n. (slang) = a dirty, promiscuous woman. Similar to "slut" or "skank".
2. v. (slang) = "to slag off" something = to put down / to bad-mouth someone or something, usually in a mean / vicious way.
Smart - adj. = Sharp / neat / well-dressed. "You look smart in that suit!"
Smart/casual - adj. = Specific dress code, not too dressy, not too casual.
Snog -
1. v. (slang) = To kiss. (French / lover's kiss, not peck). E.g. "They were snogging in the hallway."
2. n. (slang) = A lover's kiss. E.g. "Let's have a snog!"
Sod -
1. n. (coarse swear word) = Jerk / bastard. Can be used as a harsh put down, e.g. "You f-ing sod!" or as a friendly jibe, e.g."You silly old sod!" (Compare "Bugger").
2. v. (coarse expletive), (similar to "fuck"), e.g. "Sod it!" or "Sod off!"
Derives from the word "sodomy" = rape of an animal.
Sod's law - n. (slang) = Murphy's law.
Sofa - n. = Couch. (An ancient Turkish word, meaning a raised section of floor covered with carpets and cushions). (Compare "Settee".)
Sorted - adj. = Taken care of / fixed / straightened out / done. "Hurray! We're sorted!"
Spotted Dick - n. = A traditional British dessert. It's a steamed suet (dough) pudding containing dried fruit (usually currants or raisins) commonly served with custard.
Spud - n. = Potato.
Squash - n. = Fruit juice drink, usually of orange or lemon flavour, usually in concentrated form, requiring water to dilute.
Starkers - adj.(slang) = Completely butt naked.
Stockings - n. = Ladies' nylons, held up with "suspenders". (Compare "Tights").
Stag night - n. = Bachelor party. (Compare "Hen night")
Struth! - (mild curse word/ expletive) = Wow! Dang! Damn! Used as an expression of surprise, e.g. "Struth! What a big one!" Compression of the curse, "By God's Truth!" (Compare "Blimey!" and "Crikey!") (Although popularized by Australian movie stars, Struth is 100% a Britishism!)
Surgery - n. = Clinic / Doctor's office. E.g. "I'm going to the surgery for my doctor's appointment."
Suspenders - n. = Ladies' garter belt (to hold up ladies' nylons / "stockings"). (Compare "Braces" = Men's suspenders to hold up pants).
Sweet - n. = Dessert. (See "Afters" + "Pudding").
T
Ta - (slang) = Thanks! E.g. when a quick, informal "thanks" is all that's needed, such as when passing the salt, e.g. "There you go!"... "Ta!"
Ta ta for now / T.T.F.N. - (slang) = Bye / See you later! Sometimes shortened to "Ta ta!"
Tad - n. = A small amount. A jot. "That's just a tad too much milk..."
Tat - n. = Cheap, trashy stuff, such as plastic trinkets at a souvenir kiosk, or poorly made clothing or household goods at a dollar store.
Telly - n. = The TV (Short for television).
Tenner - n. = A ten pound note. £10
Thick - adj.(slang) = Stupid / dumb.
Tin - n. = Can. (Of fruit, veggies, etc)
Tinned - adj. = Canned, e.g. "These taste like tinned carrots."
Tit for Tat - (expression) = "Just desserts", touché, retaliation for insult or injury.
Tight - adj.(slang) = Drunk.
Tights - n. = Ladies panty-hose. Compare "Stockings."
Time-table - n. = Schedule.
To do - n. = fiasco / drama, e.g. "What a to do!" (Compare "Carry on")
Toff - n. = Upper class person / posh person.
Toffee apple - n. = Caramel apple / Candy apple
Togs - n.(pl) (slang) = Clothes. E.g. "Blimey, look at the fine togs he's wearing!"
Tosh - n. (slang) = Crap / Bullshit. E.g. "That's a load of tosh!" (Compare "Twaddle" and "Drivel").
Tosser - (coarse slang) n. =
1. A stupid, worthless person.
2. Someone (usually a guy) who masturbates a lot. (Compare "Wanker").
Tracksuit - n. = Jogging suit / sportswear consisting of two parts; sweat-pants and zipper jacket or hoodie. The tracksuit was one of the earliest uses of synthetic fibers, such as polyester, in sportswear. A descendant of the tracksuit, the shell suit, which arrived in the late 1980s, was popular with the hip hop and breakdancing scene of the era. Can be considered "hip". But often bears connotations of nerdiness or even trashiness, if worn as every day clothing, rather than for sports.
Trainers - n. = Gym shoes / sneakers.
Trainspotter - n. =
1. Rail fan / rail buff / train buff. Someone with the (usually obsessive) hobby of watching trains and collecting information about them.
2. Geek / nerd. General term for anyone with strange, obsessive hobbies and who also wears untrendy, geeky clothing, such as an "anorak". (See "Anorak").
Trifle - n. = Traditional English dessert with layers of sponge, jello, fruit, custard + cream.
Trousers - n. = Pants.
Twaddle - n. (slang) = Foolish, trivial, idle talk or chatter. Kind of like "babble". Almost like "bullshit". (Compare "Drivel" and "Tosh").
Twit - n. (slang) = A foolish or stupid person / Idiot.
U
Uni - n. = University / College.
V
Verrucca - n. = Planter's Wart (on soles of feet).
Video-player - n. = VCR
W
Waistcoat - n. = Vest. (Worn under a suit jacket, over a shirt).
Wank - (coarse slang) -
1. v. = to masturbate - E.g. "He was wanking in the shower"
2. n. = an act of masturbation - E.g. "He was having a wank."
Wanker - (coarse slang) n. =
1. A worthless, contemptible person.
2. Someone (usually a guy) who masturbates a lot. (Compare "Tosser")
Washing-up liquid - n. = Dish detergent.
Waste-paper basket - n. = Small trash can, usually for under a desk.
Way out - n. = Exit. (Look for the "Way out" signs in the London Underground / Tube).
Wellies - n. = Rain boots / Galoshes, made of rubber / PVC. Short for "Wellingtons" or "Wellington Boots", popularised by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.
Whinge - v. = To whine, complain. (Rhymes with "hinge").
Wicked - adj. = Cool! Awesome! (Compare "Brilliant!") E.g. "That ride was wicked!"
Wonky - adj. = Crooked, unbalanced, off-kilter. (Compare "Skewiff")
This is all for now. Updates will be added when new words are found!
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