British Words/Phrase in America

 

British Words/Phrases in America

Thanks to the plethora of movies starring British actors, YouTube, Instagram, and the advent of podcasts, not to mention the increasingly shrinking distance of the “pond” (Atlantic Ocean) that separates the United Kingdom from America; I would like to point out the many British expressions I’ve heard used, which have made their way into the American Lexicon over the recent years.

This was a fun exercise and one I hope you enjoy reading. I’m sure I’ve left out a few or maybe didn’t quite use them correctly, but being that words matter, please feel free to correct or add to this list. For more information, please click here. 

Enjoy!

 

British expressions that have made their way into the American Lexicon

 

Telling Porky Pies = Lying, making up stories

To-la pip = See you later

Pee in Post Toasties = Ruin a perfectly good thing

Quit your whinging = Stop whining, crying, or complaining

Noodles over it = Thinking something over

Playing for keeps = Not giving up

Going mental = going crazy

Nonsense on stilts = A lot of B.S. or bunk. 

Bloody = Very, i.e., “I’m feeling bloody well.”

Bloody hell = Worse than hell as in “very” hellish.

The Cheek = Having a bit of fun. Mischievous. Also used to describe someone as having a lot of nerve.

Brilliant! = American equivalent to exclaiming “Excellent.”

Got me on the back foot = to catch someone by surprise, setting them back or putting them in a bad spot.

Let’s have a chinwag = Let’s chat, discuss, gossip

Doesn’t put a foot wrong = Never messes up. Always does something perfectly.

Haven’t seen that in donkey’s years = a really long time. Rhymes with “donkey’s ears,” being that they’re so long and all.

Take the piss out of her = Often used when teasing someone. Also, American equivalent to “stealing someone’s thunder.”

Shut your gob = shut your mouth.

Gobsmacked = surprised to the point of being speechless as if hit in the mouth.

Innit = cockney slang for “isn’t it?” Used to show agreement, not ask a question.

Old Blighty = England

Standing in the queue (a queue) = Standing in a long line of people to await entrance.

Over egg the pudding = American equivalent to “gilding the Lilly.” To overdo something in order to make it better but results in harm.

Fortnight = two weeks or fourteen days

 

Other words that have not made it to our shores—yet!

 

Bob’s your uncle = used at the end of a set of instructions that are easy to follow. Also, “easy as pie” or “you are done.”

Take the tube = subway train

Pea souper = foggy day

Blimey = surprise. Taken from the phrase “God blind me.”

Fancy a cuppa = would you like a cup of tea

I’m knackered = tired

Mate = friend

Boot = trunk of a car

Bloke = same as “guy” in America

Bollocks = expression for disbelief

Lorry = truck

Undercrackers/knickers = underwear

Cockney = A person native to East London. The distinctive accent of an East Londoner.

The Z (ed) = This letter indicates the many examples of grammar and spelling differences in American and British English. This one alphabetic letter is notably different in that the letter “Z” is pronounced in America as “zee.” In Britain, it is pronounced as “zed.”

 

 

British words/phrases Americans have used and for a very long time

 

That’s rubbish = I don’t believe you

Lovely = Beautiful or attractive

I’m pissed = Drunk, i.e., pissing the night away (drinking the night away)

Piss off = F*** off

Alright = in answer to “how are you?” Not to be confused with proper grammar usage of the phrase ‘all right.’

Geezer = an elderly gentleman

Smarmy = an untrustworthy person. Suspicious.

Ace = something someone has performed very well

Wally = someone who doesn’t do anything well. Scottish for something that is pleasing or strong.

Big Wally = American term for huge wallop or pimple.

Cheers = thank you or in a toast

Hunky-dory = feeling fine, thank you.

Posh = fancy

Proper = very correct

Dim = not very bright. Also used as an insult for unintelligent or “thick.”

Miffed = Annoyed

A picnic short of a sandwich = not a very bright person

I’ll give you a ring/I’ll ring you up = call you by phone

Ta-ta! = good-bye

Don’t get your knickers in a twist = don’t get your panties in a bunch.

Poppycock = Nonsense. BS.

 ~ DaMarie

 

 

 Photo Courtesy of Glen Carrie