UK slang for international students

'Hiya mate, fancy a cuppa and a chin-wag?' 'I can't sorry pal, I'm skint. Gutted!'
When you first arrive in the UK for your studies, you might be mystified by some of the words and phrases local people use. Don't worry, this is completely normal and you will soon be fine! People here often use slang especially with friends. You might hear some regional dialect words too. A lot of these words are shared with other English-speaking countries, but many are unique to the British Isles, so even if you're a grade A student or a native speaker, you might still be baffled! To help you cotton on (slang for 'understand'), here are some common words you may hear. It is best to avoid using slang with strangers, in the classroom, or in formal situations until you're confident with the language. People may think it impolite if you use slang inappropriately. With your friends, however, it can be great fun trying out new words. I hope you enjoy this guide.

Greetings, please and thank you

Alright? = Hello. How are you? Hiya or Hey up = These informal greetings both mean Hello and are especially popular in the north of England What about ye? = This is popular in Northern Ireland and is another way of saying 'How are you?' Howay = Let's go or Come on. This is popular in the north east of England Ta = Thank you Cheers = This is usually said as a toast when you raise your glasses to celebrate, but it also means Thank you See you = Goodbye and see you soon

People, friends and family

Don't be confused if someone calls you pet, duck, sweetie, love, chicken, chuck, chucky-egg or sunshine. Older people in the UK often use these terms when they are addressing younger people as a sign of affection and friendliness. (It is usually not appropriate for younger people to use these terms with older people, however.) Other common slang and dialect terms you will hear are: Bairn = Baby or young child. This word is especially popular in Scotland and the north east of England Lad = Boy Lass or Lassie = Girl Bloke or Chap = Man Mate or Pal = Friend Me old mucker or Chum = These both mean Friend too. They are more old-fashioned now, but you may still hear people use them in a light-hearted way Mum, Mummy, Ma or Mam = Mother Dad or Daddy = Father Our kid = This means our child (son or daughter). It is especially popular in the north west and midlands of England; Kid brother/kid sister means a younger brother or sister Gran, Nan or Granny = Grandmother Grandpa or Grandad = Grandfather

Descriptions and exclamations

There are lots of slang and dialect words to say something is good or cool for example, in Wales you might hear people say tidy or lush, while in Birmingham you might hear bostin. In the north of England you might hear ace and mint, and in Northern Ireland you might hear dead on or grand. Wicked and sick in slang terms mean cool too. These words are particularly popular in London and the south of England. If something is uncool, people may say it is naff or cheesy. If it is bad or suspicious, then it is dodgy. If someone is happy, they might say 'I'm made up!' or 'I'm well chuffed!'. When disappointed, though, they might say 'I'm gutted'. If someone is being mardy, this means they are acting moody or sulky. 'It's doing my head in!' means it is annoying me, and 'It's all kicking off!' means an argument is happening. The word solid usually refers to an object, but in slang, it can mean that something or someone is resilient or difficult. For example, 'She has just run the London marathon. She's solid!' or 'That economics exam was solid!'

Words for emphasis

In the UK, you may hear people use the slang terms well, dead or mega instead of very or really. For example, 'It was dead good' or 'That exam was well difficult!' A tad means a little bit. For example, 'That is a tad expensive'.

Socialising, dating and parties

Do, Bash or Get together = Party Knees up = This is a more old-fashioned term for a party. People may use this in a light-hearted way BYOB = Bring your own bottle. In the UK, it is common for the party host to ask guests to bring their own drinks. You might see BYOB written on the invitation It's your round! = In a UK caf or pub, it is common for small groups of friends to take it in turns to buy a round of drinks for everyone at the table. Fancy = To find someone attractive e.g. 'He just smiled. I think he fancies you!' Ask out = To ask someone if they want to go on a date, e.g. 'He asked me out! We're going to the cinema this Friday.' Chat up = To flirt with someone e.g. 'He was chatting me up at the party.' Chin-wag = Talk or gossip with friends e.g. 'Fancy a chin-wag?'

Work and play

Swot up = To revise or study for an exam Knuckle down = To concentrate and work hard e.g. 'Knuckle down, you have work to do!' Muck around = To spend time doing nothing or fool around e.g. 'Stop mucking around, there is lots to do.' Muck in = To lend a hand and help someone with a job e.g. 'Thanks so much for mucking in. You really helped.' Mooch = To idle away time in a pleasurable way, for example 'I've been mooching around the shops today.' Faff = To waste time or fuss, for example 'Stop faffing, we will miss the train.' Hit the hay = To go to bed Kip = Sleep - in particular this means a short sleep for example 'I'm just going for a kip after my lecture so I feel fresh for the party.' Sleep like a log = Sleep soundly e.g. 'After handing in my coursework, I slept like a log last night!'

Food and drink

Butty or Buttie = Sandwich Barm cake, Cob, Bap or Batch = Bread roll Cuppa or Brew = Cup of tea Fry-up or Full English = Full English breakfast, usually with eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes and toast Sunday roast = A popular Sunday meal, which usually includes roast meat with roast potatoes, carrots, gravy and a Yorkshire pudding Brekkie = Breakfast Tea = This usually means a cup of tea, but in some parts of the UK it also means the evening meal. How confusing. Greasy spoon = A caf serving unhealthy food Gastropub = A pub which specialises in delicious food Chippy = Fish and chip shop Spuds = Potatoes

Money
Quid = Pounds sterling. If something costs 1 you may be asked for a quid; the word doesn't change in the plural, so 50 is fifty quid Skint = Poor or lacking money, e.g. 'I can't come to the restaurant I'm skint this week.' Minted = Rich e.g. 'It was my birthday last week and I got some money off my family, so I am minted now!' Splashing out = Spending a lot of money That's as cheap as chips = That is very cheap That costs a bomb = That is too expensive That's a rip-off = That is not worth the price Cough up! = Pay your share of the bill!

Objects
Brolly = Umbrella Telly = Television. Some people also say What's on the box? to mean What's on TV? Loo = Toilet Wellies = Short for Wellington boots, a type of rubber boot... great for music festivals when it rains Mobile = Mobile telephone. It is unusual to say cellphone in the UK