uk slang for international students

8/21/2019 UK Slang for International Students

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U slang for international students

'Hiya mate, fancy a cuppa and a chin-wag?' 'I can't sorry pal, I'm skint. Gutted!'

When you first arrive in the UK for your studies, you might be mystified by some of the words and phrases local people use. Don't

worry, this is completely normal and you will soon be fine!

People here often use slang – especially with friends. You might hear some regional dialect words too. A lot of these words are

shared with other English-speaking countries, but many are unique to the British Isles, so even if you're a grade A student or a native

speaker, you might still be baffled!

To help you cotton on (slang for 'understand'), here are some common words you may hear. It is best to avoid using slang with

strangers, in the classroom, or in formal situations until you're confident with the language. People may think it impolite if you use

slang inappropriately. With your friends, however, it can be great fun trying out new words. I hope you enjoy this guide.

Greetings, please and thank you

Alright? = Hello. How are you?

Hiya or Hey up = These informal greetings both mean Hello and are especially popular in the north of England

What about ye? = This is popular in Northern Ireland and is another way of saying 'How are you?'

Howay = Let's go or Come on. This is popular in the north east of England

Ta = Thank you

Cheers = This is usually said as a toast when you raise your glasses to celebrate, but it also means Thank you

See you = Goodbye and see you soon

People, friends and family

Don't be confused if someone calls you pet, duck, sweetie, love, chicken, chuck, chucky-egg or sunshine. Older people in the UK

often use these terms when they are addressing younger people as a sign of affection and friendliness. (It is usually not app ropriate

for younger people to use these terms with older people, however.)

Other common slang and dialect terms you will hear are:

Bairn = Baby or young child. This word is especiallypopular in Scotland and the north east of England

Lad = Boy

Lass or Lassie = Girl

Bloke or Chap = Man

Mate or Pal = Friend

Me old mucker or Chum = These both mean Friend

too. They are more old-fashioned now, but you may

still hear people use them in a light-hearted way

Mum, Mummy, Ma or Mam = Mother

Dad or Daddy = Father

Our kid = This means our child (son or daughter). It is

especially popular in the north west and midlands of

England;

Kid brother/kid sister means a younger brother or

sister

Gran, Nan or Granny = Grandmother

Grandpa or Grandad = Grandfather



Descriptions and exclamations

There are lots of slang and dialect words to say something is good or cool – for example, in Wales you might hear people

say tidy or lush, while in Birmingham you might hear bostin. In the north of England you might hear ace and mint, and in Northern

Ireland you might hear dead on or grand.

Wicked and sick in slang terms mean cool too. These words are particularly popular in London and the south of England.

If something is uncool, people may say it is naff or cheesy. If it is bad or suspicious, then it is dodgy.

If someone is happy, they might say 'I'm made up!' or 'I'm well chuffed!'. When disappointed, though, they might say 'I'm gutted'. If

someone is being mardy, this means they are acting moody or sulky.

'It's doing my head in!' means it is annoying me, and 'It's all kicking off!' means an argument is happening.

The word solid usually refers to an object, but in slang, it can mean that something or someone is resilient or difficult. For example,

'She has just run the London marathon. She's solid!' or 'That economics exam was solid!'

Words for emphasis

In the UK, you may hear people use the slang terms well, dead or mega instead of very or really. For example, 'It was dead good' or

'That exam was well difficult!'

A tad means a little bit. For example, 'That is a tad expensive'.

Socialising, dating and parties

Do, Bash or Get together = Party

Knees up = This is a more old-fashioned term for a party. People may use this in a light-hearted way

BYOB = Bring your own bottle. In the UK, it is common for the party host to ask guests to bring their own drinks. You might

see BYOB written on the invitation

It's your round! = In a UK café or pub, it is common for small groups of friends to take it in turns to buy a round of drinks for

everyone at the table.

Fancy = To find someone attractive e.g. 'He just smiled. I think he fancies you!'

Ask out = To ask someone if they want to go on a date, e.g. 'He asked me out! We're going to the cinema this Friday.'

Chat up = To flirt with someone e.g. 'He was chatting me up at the party.'

Chin-wag = Talk or gossip with friends e.g. 'Fancy a chin-wag?'

Work and play

Swot up = To revise or study for an exam

Knuckle down = To concentrate and work hard e.g. 'Knuckle down, you have work to do!'

Muck around = To spend time doing nothing or fool around e.g. 'Stop mucking around, there is lots to do.'

Muck in = To lend a hand and help someone with a job e.g. 'Thanks so much for mucking in. You really helped.'

Mooch = To idle away time in a pleasurable way, for example 'I've been mooching around the shops today.'

Faff = To waste time or fuss, for example 'Stop faffing, we will miss the train.'

Hit the hay = To go to bed

Kip = Sleep - in particular this means a short sleep for example 'I'm just going for a kip after my lecture so I feel fresh for the

party.'

Sleep like a log = Sleep soundly e.g. 'After handing in my coursework, I slept like a log last night!'



Food and drink

Butty or Buttie = Sandwich

Barm cake, Cob, Bap or Batch = Bread roll

Cuppa or Brew = Cup of tea

Fry-up or Full English = Full English breakfast, usually with eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes and toast

Sunday roast = A popular Sunday meal, which usually includes roast meat with roast potatoes, carrots, gravy and a Yorkshire

pudding

Brekkie = Breakfast

Tea = This usually means a cup of tea, but in some parts of the UK it also means the evening meal. How confusing.

Greasy spoon = A café serving unhealthy food

Gastropub = A pub which specialises in delicious food

Chippy = Fish and chip shop

Spuds = Potatoes

Money

Quid = Pounds sterling. If something costs £1 you may be asked for a quid; the word doesn't change in the plural, so £50 is

fifty quid

Skint = Poor or lacking money, e.g. 'I can't come to the restaurant I'm skint this week.'

Minted = Rich e.g. 'It was my birthday last week and I got some money off my family, so I am minted now!'

Splashing out = Spending a lot of money

That's as cheap as chips = That is very cheap

That costs a bomb = That is too expensive

That's a rip-off = That is not worth the price

Cough up! = Pay your share of the bill!

Objects

Brolly = Umbrella

Telly = Television. Some people also say What's on the box? to mean What's on TV?

Loo = Toilet

Wellies = Short for Wellington boots, a type of rubber boot... great for music festivals when it rains

Mobile = Mobile telephone. It is unusual to say cellphone in the UK

uk slang for international students

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