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English Language Translations

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In theory, going to the UK means that an American doesn't have to worry about a language barrier. Yeh right! Some terms that the British use may not be familiar to you, influences from India and Pakistan, Africa and the rest of Europe, especially France, are commonly used - sometime the English don't even know that the words they use are foreign, so what chance do you have? Well here's our translations page to help you settle in with the natives - hopefully!!!

If you visit the UK the main language law to remember is to use 'Please' and 'Thank you' or 'Thanks' in every request or Transaction. Although many Americans & other Europeans may feel this is over polite, in the UK it is considered rude if you don't use these manners. You may get ignored if you don't say 'please' which may be annoying, especially if you've been in a Queue (Q) for a while! (translation "Queue" = "line")

Certain words in the States may have a very different meaning in the UK. Just to give you a 'leg-up' and help you keep up with your British 'mates' the British Council have provided a short list of some commonly used words in the UK that may seem foreign to you: We have added a few ourselves…

AGRO': aggravation. ("Don't give me any agro.")
ALWIGHT: Hello or Okay (London particulary use this phrase but has spread UK wide now)
BANGERS AND MASH: sausages and mashed potatoes. A common, filling and often tasty staple at most pubs.
BAP: bun/roll for sandwiches.
BAPS: (RUDE) Ladies Breasts (Quite rude, normally male to male speaking)
BATHROOM: Where you have a bath - not the lavatory
BIRD: A woman. (or a flying feathered animal).
BIN: garbage can.
BLOKE: a guy, a man.
BLOODY: (RUDE) a swear word, similar to the American 'damn' but a bit stronger. o
BOG: Toilet - WC
BOOT: Car trunk or Heavy shoes/boots.
BOLLOCKS: (RUDE) similar to the American 'damn or sh*t but can also mean 'you lie', or 'you are talking cr*p'. WARNING: Americans should not use this word as the meaning depends on the expression of the word and the American accent can make it very insulting. (American Actors often get this wrong on US TV, much to English amusement!)
(the) BOX: Television.
BUGGER: (RUDE) similar to the American 'damn!' Can also be used as 'bugger all' meaning 'nothing'.
BUM: rear end, bottom.
BUM BAG: Fanny pack (You really should not use Fanny Pack in the UK - see FANNY below!!!)
CANTEEN: cafeteria.
CAR PARK: parking lot.
CHAT UP: flirt with, come on to.
CHEERS: Drinking greeting, as in 'hello.' Can also be used in lieu of 'thanks'.
CHIPPY: shop that sells fish & chips.
CHIPS: French fries.
COACH: bus.
CONDOM: A Rubber!
CRISPS: potato chips.
CUPPA: As in "a cup of tea".
DOSH: cash/money.
DUVET: comforter or bed covering.
ESTATE: Housing project.
ESTATE CAR: Station Wagon.
FAG: cigarette. (Not really a UK way to describe a homosexual, this woud be considered very rude)
FANNY: (RUDE) in the UK 'fanny' refers to female genitalia, not your BUM (see above)
FANNY: (NOT RUDE) A ladies name.
FIVER: five-pound note.
FLAT: apartment.
FULL STOP: a period (punctuation).
FOOTBALL: soccer. US Football is called 'American football.'
FORTNIGHT: two weeks.
GARDEN: yard.
GAS: Natural Gas (Fuel), To Talk Too Much (GASSING). or Flactuence. (Break Gas)
GEEZER: See "BLOKE" above - London Term.
GAP: (as in "MIND THE GAP"): The gap between the platform and the train (London Underground)
HIRE: to rent.
HOOTER: a car horn!
HOOVER: the action of vacuuming.
(A) JOHNNY: A rubber!
JUMPER: sweater.
KASI: Toilet - Bathroom (Pronounced 'KARZI' from the Indian language)
KNACKERED: tired, worn out. (The 'knackers' yard is where they turn old horses into dog food!!!
KNICKERS: women's underwear.
LEG-UP: to give a helping hand.

You shouldn't use those marked "o" or (RUDE) with people you don't know!

LEG-OVER:(RUDE) To score - "get your leg-over!" (Use your imagination!)
LORRY: truck/18 wheeler.
MATE: friend, pal.
MOTORWAY: highway.
NICKED: Something that is Stolen, or to be arrested by the police. (Example: "You're nicked son!")
NOT BOTHERED/CAN'T BE BOTHERED: don't care. Ex. "I can't be bothered to go out tonight."
NUTTER: crazy person. Ex. "He's acting like a nutter!"
OFF LICENSE: shop that sells alcohol to go.
Oi! : Hey, (To attract someones attention - normally when they've done something wrong!)
P's & Q's: means 'Please' and 'Thank Qs'. So "mind your P's & Q's," means you forgot to say 'please' or ''Thank you'!
PANTS: in the UK, 'pants' refer to underwear. So be wary of using 'pants' to describe your 'trousers'.
PETROL: gasoline.
PISSED: (RUDE) Someone who is Drunk.
PISSED OFF: (RUDE) Upset (He's P~~~ed Off)(Actually means very upset!)
PLONKER: idiot (a London phrase - means Wally, but literally means WILLY).
POUND: UK currency (also old weight measurement)
PRICK:(RUDE) see WILLY, but very rude. o
PUB: Bar
PULL: 'To go on the Pull', search for a sexual partner. (or the action of opening a door!)
QUEUE: a line. (for a bus or a queue of traffic).
QUID: a POUND (£) in currency.
(A) RING: the British don't "give you a call" they "ring you up".
RUBBER: pencil eraser. (Not a CONDOM)
SALOON CAR: Sedan Car
SCORE: To 'PULL' a 'BIRD' (or a goal in sport!)
(A) SCORE: Twenty 'QUID'
SLASH: to go to the 'BOG' or have a 'WEE'.
SMART: fashionable/chic.
SNOG: to kiss.
SOD OFF:(RUDE) get lost.
SOLICITOR: a lawyer.
SORRY?: pardon me? Excuse me?
SORRY!: Apologies. (This is used alot in London, especially when walking in a crowd bumping into people)
SORT IT OUT: figure it out.
TA: thank you.
TAP: Faucet
TAKE THE MICK teasing/taunting.
TAKE THE PISS: teasing/taunting. o
TAKEAWAY: take out food.
TEA: dinner. "Going to tea" often refers to going out for dinner.
TELLY: television.
TOILET - WC/Bathroom
TON: one hundred (normally £100 POUNDS)
TRAINERS: sneakers/tennis shoes/athletic shoes.
TUBE: The London Undergound Railway (Oldest Underground System in the world)
TYRE: tire. As in the rubber wheel of a car.
UNI: university.
WANKER: jerk. Quite rude! o
WASHING UP: doing the dishes.
WALLY: to be a Wally is to be a bit stupid, or silly.
WC : Water Closet (Toilet - lavatory)
WEE: 'small' in Scotland (only), 'pee' in rest of UK.
WILLY: slang for penis. o
WONGER: money.(London phrase).

You shouldn't use those marked "o" or (RUDE) with people you don't know!

 

There is a saying which goes…" the Americans and the English are basically the same - it's only the language that makes them different!"
"I hope this little language guide helps shorten the difference just a little. ". Mr Geoffreys - C.E.O. KGCGroup

GO TO OUR LONDON GUIDE

Updated 2008.