British Slangs and Expressions

During my first stay here in Northern Ireland, I've heard so many words and expressions I've never heard before. And even though I can speak and understand English (ish), when it's your first time listening to them speaking it's as if I'm listening to a different language.

Like I'm used to my husband's but every time I heard others, my brain was loading. And because I don't want to look or sound stupid it's always a nod, a yes or a no for me. 😂

I think sometimes they just speak too fast or their accent is just new to my ear. Funny when I don't understand!

Though there are some of the words that I already knew like:

petrol - gas

nappy - diaper

pram - stroller

footpath - sidewalk

bobo - feeding bottle

pet - love/ word of endearment

chips - French fries

crisp - potato chips

They all so sweet will call you, love, pet, dear whoever you are. And that's very normal. They aren't flirting.

So let me share to you some British words or expressions that you might be interested to know.

British Pound = Quid

So here, their currency is British Pound Sterling or Pound but you will hear them calling it Quid.

1 Quid = 100 pence

Stones

So here in the UK, they don't tell their weight in kilograms. They say it in stones.

1 stone = 6.35 pkg

Honestly, I still only know mine in kilograms. 😅

Garbage = Rubbish

They don't call waste as garbage but they say "rubbish". Also, if you're talking nonsense they will tell you,

"You're talking rubbish!" (Loads of bollocks 😂)

Tired = Knackered

They don't say, I'm tired. They say I'm knackered!

Cashier = Till

So they don't call it cashier like we normally call it in the Philippines, in here they call it "till".

When my husband told me the first time that we have to queue at the till I was like??? What till?!

Crazy = Nut/Nutter

They don't tell you you're crazy. They say, "You're a nut!" 😂

Cheers Mate!

You know me always saying this. Well, British people say it all the time "Cheers" means thank you!

Cheers Mate!

See Ya Later! / Cheerio!

They don't mean they want to see you later but it simply means "bye!"

Blimey!

They don't say "Oh my goodness!" They say, Blimey!

Loo

You should know and maybe familiar with it. This is what they call "the toilet".

Spending a Penny

This is an expression you'll hear mostly from old people. It means going to the loo or toilet.

"I'm going to spend a penny."

I ask this to my husband coz I don't get it. And he told me because when you're out and want to use the loo you have to pay a penny. Just like in the Philippines or Thailand. It's always 5 pesos or 5 baht at least to use a public toilet. 😂

Ish

There so many uses of this slang. It can be mean quite.

Like, I can cook. Ish.

I meet you at 10 ish. So it could be anytime from 10. Approximately. 😂

Bloody

If they want to exaggerate words they say bloody with it.

Bloody good!

Bloody hungry!

Bloody happy!

And of all, "bastard" and "cunt" is a very bad word! 😂

Please add more for I know there's loads of it!

Cheers!