It's an obvious fact that there are two types of English: US English and British English. Both have the same words, but with different meanings. There are also phrases only used in England that are not used in the US. The same goes for the other way around. Phrases used in the US that are not used in England. According to MSN.com writer Erin McDowell, here are 60 British phrases that would confuse other people.
Looking at some of these phrases, I know what they mean. And they make me laugh. My personal favorite is "a few sandwiches short of a picnic". I tend to use variations of that sometimes. Like "a few crayons short of a box" or "a few bricks shy of a load". I grew up watching British television programs like Are You Being Served?, The Young Ones, Keeping Up Appearances. So I do have somewhat of a good knowledge of British English. And two of my current favorite programs on television are from "across the pond", Law & Order UK and Top Gear UK. I have to say Top Gear UK so as to not be confused with Top Gear US. Most would find it odd that I know what most of these mean. But, then again, growing up watching British television will certainly educate you in how those who are from England speak
31. Someone is who enthusiastic, lively or energetic is described as being "full of beans"
-Despite this phrase being a possible reference to coffee beans, it's often used to describe someone who is full of life. "Goodness, you're full of beans this morning!"
32. "Gaff" is an informal word used to describe home
-In the 18th century, this term was used to describe a music hall or theater. "What are you up to this weekend? We've got a party at our gaff, if you fancy it?"
33. "Geezer" is a London-based term meaning "man", and could used to describe someone who is "suave" or "dapper" in appearance.
-Men who come from East London are often referred to as "geezers". This term roughly translates in to "man", "dude", "guy". This term is thought to have originated in the 15th century from the term guiser, which means "well dressed". "That guy's got such swagger - he's a proper geezer!"
-The bass player from metal band Black Sabbath, Terence "Geezer" Butler, earned his unique moniker after using the term so much from one of his brothers, who served in the military with guys from London
34. When you're extremely upset or devastated, you are "gutted"
-If you're favorite sports team lost, you'd be "gutted". If you favorite musician went on tour and you couldn't go, you'd be "gutted". "I was absolutely gutted."
35. "Innit" is a shortened way of saying "Isn't it". It's most frequently used amongst teens and younger adults
-This is just a way of agreeing with something said by someone. "It's really cold today." "Innit."
36. A short nap or sleep is "kip"
-When someone wants to go to sleep or take a nap, they want to "kip". "What a long day. When we get home, I'm going to take a quick kip."
37. When you "leg it", it means you want a quick escape, make a run for it or run away. You can also use "pull a runner"
-It's most often used in situations where you want to make a quick escape. "That's when all of the lights came on, and so we legged it!"
38. When showing irritation or annoyance, you are "miffed"
-Possibly originating from the German word "muffen", meaning "to sulk". "I was a bit miffed, I can't lie."
39. "Mint" is used to describe something of the highest quality
-Deriving from "mint condition", it's used to describe something that is in absolute pristine condition. "Those shoes are mint!"
40. "Mortal" is used to describe someone who is heavily under the influence of drink or intoxicated with a sloppy manner
-The 2011 reality TV show Geordie Shore popularized this term. There are also other terms for intoxicated, including "legless", "paralytic". "Did you see Scott last night? He was mortal."
41. When someone has been made to look a fool, they are a "mug"
-"Mug" possibly originated in London. It refers to a stupid, often gullible person who can be easily taken advantage of. "You signed that contract? You're such a mug."
42. Similarly, "mug off" is to make a fool of someone, by deception or cheating on them
-Made popular by the British reality television program Love Island. "He's going on a date with Amber? I feel so mugged off right now." "You're mugging me off."
43. When you steal something, you "nick" it
-In England, when you steal something, you "nick" it. This term can also refer to jail or prison, as in "you're going to the nick". "Did you just nick that?" "Don't get caught, or you'll end up in the Nick!"
44. "On the pull" refers to someone who is going out for the night, with the intention of attracting someone
-"Pull" can also mean "you've been kissed." "You look nice. Are you going on the pull?"
45. When you say "pants", it means garbage, trash or rubbish
-This is most often used to describe something that is less than satisfactory. It can be used in place of "blows", "reeks", "stinks", etc. "That is pants."
46. "Pea souper" is horribly thick fog, with a yellow or black coloring, due to air pollution
-The first time this phrase or term was said to have be was in the year 1200 c.e. when thick, choking smog first covered London. It was caused by heavy burning of fossil fuels by people. The fogs were nicknamed "pea soupers" because of their density and color. "Be careful when you're driving - it's a pea souper out there."
47. "Pop your clogs" means to pass away
-This might sound like a cheery little British phrase, but the meaning is anything but cheery. It means to pass away. It's origins are believed to be from factory workers in the north of England around the time of the Industrial Revolution. While working on the factory floors, employees had to wear clogs to protect their feet from everything. The concept behind the phrase is that when someone popped their clogs, the toes pointed up in the air, as they lay down to pass away. "Did you hear what happened to John's old man? He popped his clogs, didn't he..."
48. "Poppycock" is similar in meaning to "codswallop", meaning something is nonsense
-Not a reference to the actual poppy flower, this term is similar in meaning to "codswallop", meaning something is so nonsensical it is not even believable. "What a load of poppycock!"
49. When you're invested in something, usually financially, you're "quids in".
-"Quids in" means someone has invested in something, not always, but most of the time financially. The person in question will benefit massively from this investment. In England, "quid" is slang for "pounds" or the national currency. I.e. "five quid" means £5" or "a fiver" as some might call it. "If it all works out as planned, he'll be quids in."
50. When someone is short tempered or irritable, they are "shirty"
-This term is used to describe someone with a short temper or in a current state of irritation. "Don't get shirty with me, mister!"
51. When something is off, askew, it's "skew whiff"
-Instead of being slightly off kilter, or askew in the US, it's tilted to one side. "Is it just me or is that painting a bit skew whiff?"
52. To "skive", it means avoid work or school by feigning illness
-This term is used to describe the feigning of an illness to avoid going to work or school, because you want to do other things. "He skived off school so we could all go to Thorpe Park on a weekday."
-It's kinda strange how I know what Thorpe Park is. I looked at the map of the place after hearing about a friend of mine from college mention he was going there. Now I suddenly I want to explore this park. It looks great!! So does Alton Towers in Stoke-on-Trent. They have a ride there called Oblivion, which has a concrete area around it looking like something a James Bond supervillain would use. I suddenly want to explore this park too!!
53. "Smarmy" is a term that describes someone who looks deceiving, a schemer, untrustworthy
-When someone is described as "smarmy", they look untrustworthy. They have a suspicious air about them, someone who is possibly deceitful, a cheater, a scam artist. "Don't trust him - he's a smarmy geezer!"
54. To "take the cake" in England, it's "take the biscuit"
-To "take the cake" or "take the biscuit" means to win an imaginary award for something foolish or something incredible. If someone has done something that is irritating or surprising, you might say they've "taken the biscuit" or "taken the cake", depending on what region of the world you come from. "I could just about deal with the dog barking at 5:30 am, but the lawnmower at 3 am really takes the biscuit."
55. "Take the mickey" is a phrase referencing the taking of liberties at the expense of others
-It can used in both lighthearted fun and in irritation.
-This is a slight modification on the Cockney rhyming slang of "taking the Mickey Bliss", which references urinating.
-"Hey! Don't take the Mickey."
56. "Waffle" is not a mention of the breakfast food item, rather it means to talk at length without getting to the point
-When someone is just rambling on, with no sign that they are getting to the point, they are "waffling". In the US, it would be described as "telling their life story." "I wish he'd stop waffling on." "What a load of waffle."
57. Someone who is silly or incompetent is a "wally"
-The origins are largely unknown, but it was thought that the term was used in the 1960s to describe someone who was unfashionable. "Don't put down a leaking mug on top of the newspaper, you wally!"
58. When someone is moaning, complaining or whining, they are "whinging"
-"Whinge" or "whinging" means to complain or moan in an irritating, whiny fashion. It's over the top, unnecessary complaining. "Quit whinging."
59. When you want someone to mind their business, you tell them to "wind their neck in."
-If you want to tell someone to mind their business, ask them to "wind their neck in." This is a slightly kinder way of telling someone that their opinion is not wanted in the present time and place. "Wind your neck in and stop being so nosy!"
60. "Zonked" is tired, exhausted
-This can refer to either being tired or exhausted or being under the influence of narcotics or alcohol. "I was going to go out tonight but when I finished work I was absolutely zonked." "When I got home, he was already zonked."
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