Planning a trip to the UK? A different-sounding accent is just one part of British English that might differ from what you’re used to.
Interestingly, American English is older than British English. Original British settlers in America spoke their native tongue, while later in England, upper-class citizens changed their speech, adding a soft “r”.
Lower classes adopted this, leading to the modern British accent dominating southern English speech.
To be well-received in the United Kingdom, Americans planning a trip would be wise to study some phrases not used in the United States. These phrases can be lifesavers during trips to England.
1: Have a Chinwag
Have a Chinwag is a British phrase meaning to have a chat. It’s an informal way to speak, best used with friends.
Unlike its appearance, it has nothing to do with your chin or a dog’s tail. While encompassing any chat, it can often imply a gossipy kind of conversation. Knowing this phrase can be useful.
2: She’s So Gobby
In American English, the word “rude” sounds harsh, but Brits prefer using “gobby” when talking about a rude person. It can also mean a person who talks too much.
It’s suggested that you might find it amusing to say this word yourself. Understanding “gobby” helps interpret descriptions of people.
3: The Bee’s Knees
Aside from being fun to say, “the bee’s knees” is a British phrase for referring to something one is fond of.
There are several ways to incorporate it into a sentence. Examples include describing a person as “the bee’s knees” or saying that shoes are. It indicates high regard.
4: A Few Quid
Americans have dollars and bucks, while Britons have pounds and “quid”. Among friends, “quid” is a harmless informal way to talk about money.
However, it is not recommended to use the word quid when paying for a 5-star meal. It’s best kept for casual conversation.
5: It’s All Gone Pear-Shaped
You likely don’t want to hear the word “pear” in this context. Replacing “pear-shaped” with “wrong” helps Americans understand.
This phrase is used when things didn’t go as planned, and no alternative could make up for it. It’s common to hear Brits say this when something fails miserably. For example, beach plans could go pear-shaped.
6: Ta-Ta
Ta-ta might not be a foreign word, but it can feel weird for Americans to speak for the first time. It stands for “Talk to you later”. You may also hear Brits say, “Ta-ta for now”.
This phrase is too informal for situations like saying goodbye to your new boss after your first day.
7: Curtain Twitcher
It’s easy to see where “curtain twitcher” comes from. The phrase refers to a nosy person. According to Readable, the term was dubbed in the 1940s.
It describes people who constantly watch their neighbors through their windows. This vivid phrase paints a clear picture of the person being described.
8: For Yonks
If someone says they’ve been somewhere for yonks, they didn’t misspeak. “Yonks” means a really long time.
This phrase will come in handy if you travel to Australia, as they use it there, too. You may also hear people say “in yonks” instead of “for yonks”.
9: I’m Knackered
You’ll likely feel “knackered” after a red-eye flight at Heathrow Airport. That’s British slang for “tired”. However, “knacker” can also mean to break something.
So, it’s good to keep an eye out if people are talking about something you might have accidentally broken or damaged.
10: That’s Rubbish
“That’s rubbish” is a phrase meaning “That’s nonsense”. It’s one you might quickly become familiar with.
Interestingly, “rubbish” is also a common word Brits use for garbage. You might hear people tell you to put the rubbish in a “bin,” which is what Britons call trash cans.
11: Sort of Bloke
While “bloke” might sound rough in American English, in the UK, being called a bloke is a compliment. It is an informal word for “guy”.
Phrases like “He’s a lovely sort of bloke” or simply “He’s a lovely bloke” are common in England. It’s a friendly term.
12: Blimey
“Blimey” is a single word and a phrase used by Brits when they are excited and surprised about something. Think of it like saying, “Wow”.
An example is expressing disbelief and excitement about a friend traveling. It’s an exclamation showing strong emotion.
13: That’s Smashing
“Smashing” is another word that appears negative but is not. It means excellent or wonderful. A person can look smashing in an outfit, and a view can also be smashing.
Once you start using this word in the UK, you might find it hard to stop using it back in America.
14: All Go To Pot
You don’t want your UK travel plans to “all go to pot”. This means they didn’t go as planned, and no alternative could make up for it.
Whenever something fails miserably, it’s common to hear Brits talk about it having all gone to pot. It signifies a complete failure of plans.
15: Use a Brolly
Statistically, England is the driest country in the UK, but you’ll still need a brolly. In 2023, there were 171.5 days with 1 millimeter or more of rainfall.
If you haven’t guessed, “brolly” translates to “umbrella” in American English. It’s a useful item for visiting the UK.
16: Brass Monkey
“Brass monkey” is a phrase you might start using, especially if you’re from a warmer state. It means extremely cold weather.
Although snowfall isn’t overly common in England, cold, damp winters make for brass monkey weather. It vividly describes freezing conditions.
17: Sod Off
Be careful using “sod off” until you understand the context. The gentler version means “go away”. There’s a rougher version involving an “f” word.
Some Britons use “bugger off” instead of sod off. It’s an informal, potentially impolite, way to tell someone to leave.
18: Mind the Gap
“Mind the gap” is a phrase that might stick in your head after taking the underground (subway). An announcement frequently warns people on the public transportation system.
It tells them to take care of the gap between the boarding station and the train. It’s a crucial safety warning.
19: And Bob’s Your Uncle
After sharing simple instructions, a Brit sometimes ends by saying, “And Bob’s your Uncle!”. This phrase means “And there you have it” or “It’s as simple as that”.
It’s a fun phrase to say. It implies that something is easily achieved once the steps are followed.
20: Posh Nosh
“Posh nosh” is another fun British phrase. The pastries you eat at an upscale afternoon tea restaurant could be described this way.
High-quality items, including fancy food, are grounds for using this phrase. It describes food that is considered elegant or high-class.
21: She’s Lush
Anyone can be “lush,” as it’s in the eye of the beholder. Whereas Americans use “lush” to describe backyard foliage, Britons use it as slang for “attractive”.
It’s a compliment about someone’s appearance. This difference in meaning can be quite surprising to Americans.
22: Rent a Flat
If you’re spending extended time in England, you might need to look for a “flat”. That’s what Brits call an apartment.
While Brits understand “apartment,” “flat” is widespread and catchy. You’ll likely find yourself using it before long. It’s the standard term for a residential unit.
23: Tea and Crumpets
“Crumpet” is a common food served at tea time. It’s a griddle bread with small holes, perfect for soaking up butter and jam.
Brits might also mention eating “biscuits” with tea; these are not traditional American buttery biscuits, but rather cookies.
24: Fish and Chips
“Chips” are another misleading British food term. You’ll most often hear it with “fish and chips”. Unlike the thin, crispy potato chips Americans think of, Brits refer to thick french fries as chips. So, fish and chips means fish and thick-cut fried potatoes.
25: Going on a Holiday
In American culture, holidays mark specific, widely recognized days. But in the UK, Brits use “holiday” to refer to personal vacations.
So, if a Brit says they’re going on a holiday to Spain, they’re likely going on vacation, not celebrating a Spanish public holiday.
Alicia Richards