UK slang

A multipurpose mild swear used to add emphasis to absolutely anything, from annoyance to excitement. British people say it at least ten times a day without noticing.

“That’s bloody brilliant!”

A cup of tea, sacred British life fuel. Solves sadness, stress, arguments, weather complaints, heartbreak, and existential dread. Must be offered within 90 seconds of entering a home.

“Fancy a cuppa? You look stressed.”

Having a full-blown adult tantrum over something minor. A wobbly is not just anger — it’s dramatic, theatrical chaos, ideally with flailing arms.

“He threw a wobbly because his toast was ‘too toasty’.”

British for “drunk,” not angry like in the US. If someone says they were ‘pissed last night’, assume alcohol — lots of it.

“We got properly pissed after the match.”

Mocking someone, making fun, or being sarcastic — often all three at once. The national British pastime, right after queuing and pretending we don’t care. Absolutely essential vocabulary.

“Relax mate, I was only taking the piss.”

Means someone’s gone completely off-script — angry, irrational, or behaving like a soap opera villain. Usually used when someone reacts dramatically to something minor, like running out of milk.

“She lost the plot when she saw the state of the kitchen.”

Utterly exhausted — the kind of tired where you consider lying down on the floor of a Tesco and accepting your fate. Brits use it at least five times a day.

“Long day at work, I’m knackered.”

Short for beverages, but always alcoholic — never herbal tea. Bevvy usually means beer, pints, or whatever your mate Dave claims he can ‘handle just fine’.

“We’re grabbing a few bevvies after work, join us?”

Completely and utterly shocked, as if someone slapped you in the mouth (‘gob’) with pure surprise. British people adore this word because it allows them to feel dramatic without raising their voice.

“I was gobsmacked when the bus actually arrived on time.”

Suspicious, sketchy, slightly criminal, or just generally ‘this feels like a bad idea’. A dodgy kebab, a dodgy geezer, a dodgy deal — all things that guarantee gastrointestinal risk or regret.

“The wiring in this flat looks properly dodgy.”