(Photo credit: http://bit.ly/1Hmklqm)
Slang is usually considered impolite or rough language (or as my mother used to say ‘common’ language), and generally we wouldn’t use slang in a respectful situation, e.g. when you are talking to elders or looking for a job. However, within the list below, there are many words and phrases that still could be considered polite even if you are not in a respectful situation, and some I would suggest no matter where you are don’t use this unless it’s with your friends…
The next question you are going to ask is (particularly if you are a native Brit!) is how come you think you know which is polite and which is not? Well, I don’t really, the polite and impolite recommendations here are purely based on experience.
If you agree or disagree with me…..let me know:
Slang word/phrase | Polite or Impolite | |
1 | Charlie – Idiot | Impolite |
2 | Give You A Bell – Call you | Polite |
3 | Blimey! – My Goodness | Polite |
4 | Gutted – Devastated | Impolite |
5 | Chuffed – Proud | Polite |
6 | Fancy – Like | Polite |
7 | Lost the Plot – Gone Crazy | Polite |
8 | Sorted – Arranged | Polite |
9 | Kip – Sleep or nap | Polite |
10 | Bee’s Knees – Awesome | Polite |
11 | Know Your Onions – Knowledgeable | Impolite |
12 | Dodgy – Suspicious | Polite |
13 | Wonky – Not right | Polite |
14 | Wicked – Cool! | Polite |
15 | Whinge – Whine | Polite |
16 | Tad – Little bit | Polite |
17 | Tenner – £10 | Polite |
18 | Fiver – £5 | Polite |
19 | Skive – Lazy or avoid doing something | Impolite |
20 | Toff – Upper Class Person | Impolite |
21 | Quid – £ | Polite |
22 | Loo – Toilet | Polite |
23 | Nicked – Stolen | Impolite |
24 | Nutter – Crazy Person | Impolite |
25 | Gobsmacked – Amazed | Impolite |
26 | Chap – Male or friend | Polite |
27 | Bob’s Your Uncle – There you go! | Polite |
28 | C of E – Church of England | Polite |
29 | Throw a Spanner in the Works – make a problem | Polite |
30 | Nosh – Food | Polite |
31 | One Off – One time only | Polite |
32 | Hens night – girls night out before a wedding | Polite |
33 | DIY – Do It Yourself home improvements | Polite |
34 | Ponce – Poser | Impolite |
35 | Don’t Get Your Knickers in a Twist – Don’t Get worked up | Impolite |
36 | The Telly – Television | Polite |
37 | Bangers – Sausage | Polite |
38 | Daft Cow – Idiot | Impolite |
39 | Do – Party | Polite |
40 | Uni – College/University | Polite |
41 | Bits ‘n Bobs – Various things | Polite |
42 | Shambles – bad shape/plan gone wrong | Polite |
43 | Horses for Courses – Won’t work for someone else | Polite |
44 | It`s monkeys outside – it is very cold | Impolite |
45 | Stag Night – Bachelor Party | Polite |
Feedback please!
Other ENGLISH slang phrase posts AND LINKS:
- The very best of British
- 30 Awesome British slang terms you should start using immediately
- 100 most beautiful slang words and phrases
- Next top 15 Slang you should start using now to sound like a brit
- Top 20 English slang phrases to start using now to sound like a real brit
- Why do people using slang?
- More Slang I grew up on…