Are you a language learner actively improving your English grammar but keeps hearing some English slang words and phrases in movies and daily conversations that sounds alien to you? I understand that it can be confusing, especially for total beginners.
You see, the English language has a wide range of slang that has evolved over the centuries from abbreviations, historical happenings, and random comparisons. These English slang words have made every language have its unique fascinations that are understood only by native speakers. Fortunately, these English Slang words are easy to learn. So, sit back and enjoy the ride!
But wait… before you tighten your seat belts, there is a catch.
Where It Gets Twisted: American And British Slang Words
As you may know (and if you don’t, keep reading), the English language has a sort of version. The most popular versions are British And American English. British (UK) English is majorly spoken in the United Kingdom, like England and other parts. At the same time, there is American English which is spoken majorly in the United States Of America. These two English languages ‘versions’ have their differences that also extend to their slang words. So are the American and British slang words, and they hold different meanings.
As if that is not enough, there are more variations as you move through different countries. One of the most popular variations is Australian slang, which is unique and creative. Australian slang is widely different from American and British slang, but we will get to that later.
So, you may be wondering? ‘Oh My! Where do I start?’. Not to worry, we will try to cover the popular English slang based on British, American, and Australian English. Whichever is relevant to you, you can go ahead and take a look through, and if you are curious about knowing all. Why not?
Now that we’ve clarified the differences, you can now fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride of English slang words and phrases.
British Slang Phrases And Words
There are British slang words used in daily conversations that you may hear around often. We will try to list a good portion of them, expecting that you will be able to understand and probably use them in the nearest future.
Ace
Ace describes something extremely good, exciting, or awesome.
Bloke
Just like the equivalent of Dude in American English Slang, Bloke means a man. Keep that in mind in future conversations.
Dive
Does somewhere maybe a bar or restaurant look unattractive? You can use the word dive. “That place is dive, but their chips are exceptionally good.“
Jar
Jar means bear and is often used in the united kingdom. I want to grab a few jars.
PENG
Used to describe something of the upper class or something or someone looking luxurious and good. ‘You look peng, girl!’
Chuffed
Someone is chuffed when they are very excited about something. I am so chuffed with my admission letter!
Quid
You may have heard this sometimes. Quid refer to the British pound
Mate
Mate, in this sense, is not referring to a life partner. It means a friend. So, when native speakers call you Mate, they see you as a friend.
Minted
When someone is minted, it means they are wealthy. Look at his watch, and you’d know that he’s minted.
Knackered
When one is knackered, they are extremely tired. I can’t move an inch, and I am absolutely knackered
Gutted
If you are extremely disappointed about something, you are gutted. ‘I don’t want to speak right now, and I am gutted about the exams.
Bants
Bant is a British slang word for banter ‘I am going to the boys for some bants’
Innit
An abbreviation for, isn’t it? Definitely widely used in other parts of the UK ‘You shall be going home, innit?’
Bloody
Bloody is used to intensify a particular statement, just like the word ‘very.’ So, it isn’t talking about something soaked in blood. You are bloody daft! Bloody hell!
Cuppa
Cuppa is the shortened version of a cup of tea in the UK. I am dying for a cuppa
Skint
If you are skint, it means that you are broke and have no money on you. I have no quid, and I am a skint mate.
Under the cosh
When someone is under the cosh, it means that they are under pressure to deliver something.
Flogging a dead horse
No matter how you flog a dead horse, it won’t result in anything. The same thing with this slang phrase. It means that someone is trying to change a situation that cannot be changed. You will be flogging a dead horse by going to apologize
Going to a do
A do is a party and if you are a student, you don’t want to miss a do. ‘I am going to a do tonight, babe’
Kerfuffle
Fuss or confusion. What is the kerfuffle all about
On the lash
Means to have a lot of drinks and probably get drunk. Are you out on the lash
Stop faffing around
When you are faffing around, it means you are taking too much time with what you are doing. It is best to finish that up immediately.
Yakking
Talking too much about something interesting. Zoe won’t stop yakking on and on about her new car.
Other British Slang Words
American Slang Words
Now that we’ve covered the popular British slang terms, let’s take a trip to the United States to find out some cool American slangs. Before will go further, keep in mind that some of these slang are region-dependent which means one slang may be heavily used in a state and not in another. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the American slang words
Chill
To relax or to stop being worked up. ‘Chill, dude’
Simp
Refers to someone who is overly nice to another person they like, thinking that they will develop feelings for them. ‘You are such a simp!’
Crash
To sleep. ‘I am crashing at your place tonight.‘
Sawbuck
American term for $10USD.
Dude
A man. ‘Hey dude, you good?’
Woke
Staying aware of injustice ‘Stay woke’
Snatched
Looking good. ‘You are looking snatched.’
Slay
To be winning at something. ‘You are slaying it’
Ghost
Disappears or ignores ‘You ghosted me yesterday!’
Chicken
A coward; behaves a bit stupid ‘You are such a chicken’
Wasted
Drunk. ‘Damn, I am wasted’
I don’t buy that
Not believing a statement. ‘I didn’t but into that John’s story‘
No big deal
No problem, or it is fine ‘It is no big deal, we cool’
Couch potato
Someone who watches a lot of TV. ‘She is a couch potato’
I’m down/I’m game
To agree to join a particular event or agree to something. ‘I am down for coffee at 9 am tomorrow
Have a blast
Enjoy your day
I’m baby
I’m innocent
Open the pandora’s box
Start trouble ‘I told you to allow him in. He is just here to open pandora’s box’
To screw over
To cheat or exploit someone ‘Sorry dude, you’ve been screwed over’
For the birds
When someone gives an irrelevant opinion, you can say that ‘the advice he gave me was for the birds’
Spill the beans
To reveal a secret. ‘Okay, you can now spill the beans’
Have a crush
To have a strong affection for someone. ‘I have a crush on Tyler’
I feel you
To understand what someone is saying. ‘I feel you. It can be painful‘
Buck
One USD dollar. ‘the coffee costs a buck’
Pass the buck
Shift tasks or responsibilities to someone else ‘I am too busy. I will have to pass the buck to Mary’
Ripped
Someone who is physically fit or has a good body build.
Which One Is Your Best Choice
We’ve explored the common English slang words for both British and American English. So, which one did you find more interesting? Well, depending on your location in the English version you are learning, some of the cool slang words may not be that relevant or generally acceptable. However, it is good to keep them handy if you visit any of these countries.
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