The Luxe Nomad is all about immersing in the local culture. And in the United Kingdom — despite the English language — we’re sometimes a little lost in translation — especially when conversing with the young’uns. So, we’ve come up with a list of British slang to help you get by, blend in and banter like a true Londoner while travelling.
Read also: Why It’s Okay to be a Tourist and Not a Traveller
#1 A Cheeky Nandos
Definition: More than a national delicacy (albeit its South African / Portuguese origins) Nandos is a culinary experience that deserves its own adjective; cheeky.
Used in a sentence: “Know where we can grab a cheeky Nandos around here?”
#2 Arsey
Definition: Describing someone’s or one’s own sulky mood.
Used in a sentence: “He was being arsey last night when his team lost the match.”
#3 Banging
Definition: Something utterly fantastic.
Used in a sentence: “The party last night was banging, too bad you were jet-lagged, mate.”
#4 Bollocks
Definition: Used to describe speech of complete nonsense, or definitely untrue.
Used in a sentence: “You’ve been everywhere in Asia, have you? What bollocks you on about?”
#5 Fit
Definition: Someone of physical attractiveness, as opposed to general health and muscle tone.
Used in a sentence: “I’m not from around here but I think you’re well fit — care to grab a pint with me?”
#6 Gutted
Definition: To be disappointed or devastated about a situation.
Used in a sentence: “She was absolutely gutted when the museum was closed — again.”
#7 Innit / Dunnit
Definition: A butchery of “isn’t it” and “doesn’t it”, used at the end of a sentence for rhetorical confirmation or approval.
Used in a sentence: “That Christmas market looks good, dunnit?”
#8 Knackered
Definition: Pure exhaustion.
Used in a sentence: “I just landed, innit, I’m knackered!”
#9 Pissed
Definition: Definitely drunk, not to be mistaken for anger.
Used in a sentence: “Let’s get pissed.”
#10 Take the Piss
Definition: When you’re joking around, or making fun of something or someone.
Used in a sentence: “No need to get arsey, mate, I was only taking the piss.”
#11 Chuffed
Definition: The opposite of gutted — that is to say, extremely pleased, happy, excited, or all of the above.
Used in a sentence: “I’m absolutely chuffed about this hotel room — it looks smashing!”
#12 Bants
Definition: An abbreviation of “banter”, which means to exchange witty and enjoyable conversation with someone.
Used in a sentence: “She was fit, but the bants was lacking.”
#13 Bum
Definition: To seek permission to take something from someone without the intention of necessarily paying them back for it.
Used in a sentence: “Mind if I bum a fag off you?”
#14 Arsed
Definition: Not to be confused with arsey, to be arsed is to not be bothered.
Used in a sentence: “Do we have to get up that early for brunch? I can’t be arsed.”
#15 Ledge
Definition: The abbreviation of “legend”, which is an exaggeration used to describe someone that’s done something great, or is just a well-liked person.
Used in a sentence: “Everyone knows James, he’s an absolute ledge in London!”
Ace (amazing)getaways.
Photo credits: Main, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
