"Cuppa" is a more informal version of "cup of," and is often even used to mean "cup of tea" on its own – "Fancy a cuppa?" Potluckĭefinition: Good luck in a situation in which it wasn’t clear how it was going to turn outĮxample: It is such potluck that the sunshine came out in time for the picnic today. In the 1920s, "not" was eventually added to describe something you don’t like. Originates from: The phrase has been used since the 1800s but originated as "my cup of tea" to describe something one would like. Not my cuppa teaĭefinition: Something not to your liking, seeing as British people can be precious with how their cup of tea is made.Įxample: I don’t fancy going to that restaurant for dinner it’s not my cuppa tea. The plot featured a fake disease called "Lurgi " since this show, it has been a common expression for a non-serious illnesses. Originates from: The word was first used in a BBC radio comedy The Goon Show back in 1954.
Don't go near people who say they have "the lurgy" in case you catch it!Įxample: I can’t come into work today because I have the lurgy. It has origins to the cockney culture in the East End of London.ĭefinition: If you have "the lurgy," it means you are ill or you have the flu. Origin: the origin comes from the old pub song " Knees Up Mother Brown", dating back in the early 1800s. Originates from: The phrase actually makes sense when you think about it: if you don’t have a preference, you’re easy to please! "Fancy a cuppa?"ĭefinition: a gathering or party with a lot of people in attendance, usually accompanied by dancing and drinkingĮxample: Who's ready for a big old knees up tonight?
Fancy a cuppa meaning movie#
When asked how long it would take, they would reply, "donkey's years."ĭefinition: A way to show you don't care or that it's all the same to you.Įxample: I don’t mind which movie we watch I’m easy! Origin: When people put things on ships, they used a crank named a donkey, which was very slow. Originates from: Popularized by the Victorian novel Oliver Twist, the Artful Dodger was called so because he was a skilled and cunning person.Įxample: This cake is taking donkey’s years to bake. Dodgyĭefinition: Someone or something that seems unreliable.Įxample: I don't like the look of this rollercoaster, it seems dodgy. The expression was shortened and is now used to describe situations as well as people. Originates from: Another slang expression is "daft halfpenny" (or "daft ha’porth"), used to describe an unintelligent person (a halfpenny was not very valuable in the old British system of money). Origin: no one knows the true origin of this phrase, but most believe it derives from the Victorian times and was popularized more recently in British culture in the 50s and 60s.ĭefinition: the best very good (the English usually say the word without pronouncing the last ‘g’)Įxample: This gym is cracking because it has everything I need.Įxample: You look daft with that pink sparkly hat on. For decades after, "Bob’s your uncle" became a sarcastic piece of slang and is still used today if Prime Minister Robert (“Bob”) is your uncle and gives you things, everything will be easy!ĭefinition: an informal chat between peopleĮxample: Sorry I was late, Harry stopped me on the street for a quick chinwag.
Origin: This is a phrase back from 1887 when British Prime Minister Robert Cecil made the unpopular decision to appoint his nephew Arthur Balfour (Lord Salisbury) as Chief Secretary for Ireland. Here is a list of old sayings and English slang terms from the UK to help you really fit in with British culture – some of which have since been carried overseas, and others of which will mark you as a true British master! Bob's your uncleĭefinition: Added to the end of sentences to express "and that's it."Įxample: To get the restaurant, you take the next left turn and it is right in front of you, Bob’s your uncle!
With the help of movies, television, and social media, British sayings and slang words spread more easily throughout the world than they used to, but some expressions remain uniquely local. If you are studying English in the UK, you might notice some of these words or phrases quite quickly. British slang has been transforming and adapting for centuries from city to city every different town comes with a slightly new set of words. Every country has its own slang, but the UK is known for having particular terminologies that are unique and sometimes rather quirky.
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