The 17 Best British Slang Terms & Their Definitions

Since I’ve been studying abroad with CEA, I have picked up some rather humorous colloquialisms popular here across the pond. Below, I have collected a list of some of my favorite British slang terms to employ when you study abroad.

1. Ace: One fun British slang term is "ace," which means something that's awesome or brilliant – i.e., "She's ace at navigating confusing driving directions." It's also used as a verb to describe excelling at something, like acing a test.
2. Cheeky: To be cheeky is to be flippant or somewhat of a smart aleck. Considering British humor, I’d say most people here are a bit cheeky.  
3. Cheers: Over here, cheers is more than just a thing you say while making a toast; it’s a way to greet people or to say “thank you.” Cheers for reading, everybody (mom and dad)! 
4. Chuffed: For me, being chuffed sounds like a negative thing, but here it is a common way to say that you are pleased.  
5. Wingardium Leviosa: Whoops – that’s a Harry Potter term. (If you’re wondering if Harry Potter affected my decision to study abroad in London with CEA, the answer is yes.) 
6. Brilliant: Often used to describe something that is wonderful or excellent, or great news.
7. Dodgy: One of the more frequently used British slang terms to describe a situation that's sketchy, or when you just feel off about something or someone.
8. Dishy: I am assuming this relates to the beauty of a well-cooked dish because there is no other reason to associate “good-looking” with dishy. It’s your turn for rebuttal, Britain.     
9. Drop a clanger: This is the British version of putting one’s foot in one’s mouth but it sure sounds sillier.  
10. Gobsmacked: That was awesome? Try that was gobsmacked. 
11. Loo: This quintessential British term has a much better ring to it than the American equivalent, “bathroom.” (It also makes me think of the movie, What a Girl Wants, in case you were wondering.) 
12. Hoover: This is the British way of saying vacuuming. I heard a student use this term in class and it made me laugh, so I thought I’d share it with you all. 
13. Queue: Fun fact – “are you in the queue?” was one of the first things someone said to me in England. A queue is simply a line, but it much more fun to say that than “line.” 
14. Mate/chum/bloke/chap: All of these refer to a member of the male gender, but somehow they all seem more fun. 
15. Peanuts: I honestly have no idea how this term happened, but apparently if it’s peanuts, it’s cheap. Beats me…
16. Pip pip: This might be an antiquated term for saying goodbye, but it doesn’t make it any less amazing. If you’re curious as to how many times I’ve used this phrase, the answer is a lot.  
17. Hunky-dory: Use this to describe when something is OK, cool, normal or "all good." ("Everything is hunky-dory over here!")

That concludes my favourite (notice the “u”) British colloquialisms. I hope you feel wiser and more cultured and got a laugh or two in as well. Cheers!