You’ve booked your flight, reserved your hotel, and memorized the Tube map. You’re ready for London. But are you ready for the language?
Sure, Londoners speak English – technically. But the first time someone asks if you want a “cuppa” before “popping to the loo,” or warns you that the Northern line is “absolutely rammed” during “rush hour,” you might find yourself nodding along while understanding nothing.
This guide covers the essential British slang you’ll actually encounter during a London visit. Not the obscure Cockney rhyming slang your grandfather might have used, but the everyday words and phrases that will help you navigate the city, order food, take public transport, and chat with locals without constantly looking confused.
Getting Around
The Tube
The London Underground. Not “the subway” (that’s a sandwich shop in Britain, or a pedestrian underpass).
“Take the Tube to Leicester Square.”
Mind the Gap
The famous announcement warning passengers about the space between the train and platform. You’ll hear it constantly and eventually dream about it.
Rammed / Packed
Extremely crowded. The Tube during rush hour is “absolutely rammed.” A busy pub is “packed.”
“Don’t take the Central line at 5 PM – it’s rammed.”
Manic
Busy, hectic. “The shops were manic today.”
Queue
A line of people waiting. The British are famous for orderly queuing. Don’t skip the queue – it’s practically a criminal offense.
“There’s a massive queue for the London Eye.”
Dodgy
Suspicious, unreliable, or of poor quality. “That cab driver seemed a bit dodgy.”
Lost the Plot
Gone crazy, doesn’t make sense. “The traffic system in this city has completely lost the plot.”
Knackered
Exhausted. After walking 15 miles around London, you’ll be “absolutely knackered.”
Gutted
Very disappointed. “I was gutted the Tower was closed.”
Chuffed
Pleased, delighted. “I’m chuffed I got tickets to the show.”
At the Restaurant or Pub
Bill
The check. Ask for “the bill, please” – never “the check.”
Takeaway
Takeout food. “Shall we eat in or get a takeaway?”
To Go / Takeaway
“To go” is increasingly understood, but “takeaway” is more British.
Quid
Pounds. “That’s fifteen quid.” No plural form – it’s never “quids.”
Fiver / Tenner
Five-pound note / ten-pound note. “Have you got a fiver for the tip?”
Starter
Appetizer. “What are you having for starter?”
Main / Main Course
Entrée. “The fish was excellent as a main.”
Pudding
Dessert. “Any pudding for you?”
Chips
French fries (but thicker). Not crisps. Never order “fries” unless you want the thin McDonald’s variety.
Crisps
Potato chips. What you’d snack on at a pub.
Biscuit
Cookie. “Would you like a biscuit with your tea?”
Fizzy Drink
Soda. “Can I have a fizzy drink?”
Squash
Concentrated fruit drink mixed with water. Not a vegetable in this context.
Lager
The default “beer” – light, fizzy, served cold.
Pint
The standard beer measurement (larger than a US pint). “A pint of lager, please.”
Half
Half a pint. Perfectly acceptable to order.
Round
Buying drinks for everyone in your group. The round system is sacred – if someone buys you a drink, you owe them one back.
“It’s my round – same again?”
Last Orders
The announcement that the bar is about to close. You’ll have 10-15 minutes to get your final drink.
Off-Licence / Offy
A shop selling alcohol to take home. Liquor store.
Shopping
Chemist
Pharmacy. Boots and Superdrug are the major chains.
Newsagent
A small shop selling newspapers, magazines, snacks, and various sundries. Often called a “corner shop.”
High Street
The main shopping street in any area. “High street shops” means mainstream retail (like saying “mall stores”).
Queueing
What you’ll do a lot of. Form an orderly line and wait your turn.
Shop Assistant
Salesperson. Never “clerk.”
Trolley
Shopping cart.
Carrier Bag
Plastic or paper shopping bag. You’ll be charged for these, so bring your own.
Till
Cash register. “Pay at the till.”
Cashback
Getting cash from a debit card transaction at a shop, not a rebate.
VAT
Value Added Tax – the sales tax included in all prices. What you see is what you pay.
Change
Coins, or the money you get back. “Have you got any change for the parking meter?”
Conversational Essentials
Lovely
An all-purpose positive word. “Lovely weather.” “That’s lovely.” “You’re lovely.” The British use this constantly.
Brilliant
Means “great” or “excellent,” not necessarily intellectually impressive. “That’s brilliant, thanks!”
Cheers
Thank you (casual), goodbye, or what you say when clinking glasses. Versatile word.
“Cheers for the help!” / “Cheers, see you later!”
Ta
An even more casual “thank you.” “Ta, love.”
Sorry
The British say this constantly, even when something isn’t their fault. It’s social lubricant, not an admission of guilt.
“Sorry, is this seat taken?”
Pardon?
What? Can you repeat that? More polite than “huh?”
Please
Used more frequently than in American English. Always say please.
Right / Right Then
A verbal placeholder indicating transition. “Right then, shall we go?” “Right, here’s what we’ll do.”
Proper
Really, genuinely, authentically. “It’s proper cold out.” “That’s a proper English breakfast.”
Quite
Can mean “very” or “somewhat” depending on context and tone. British understatement makes this tricky.
Rubbish
Garbage/trash, or something that’s terrible. “The weather’s rubbish.” “Put that in the rubbish.”
Mate
Friend, or a casual form of address for strangers. “Alright, mate?”
Love / Darling / Dear
Terms of address from strangers, particularly older people or those in service jobs. Don’t be alarmed when the bus driver calls you “love.”
Bloke / Chap
A man, a guy. “He’s a nice bloke.”
Fortnight
Two weeks. “I’m here for a fortnight.”
Holiday
Vacation. “I’m on holiday from New York.”
To Let
For rent. Signs saying “To Let” mean the property is available to rent.
Engaged
Besides the marriage meaning, this means “occupied” (as in a toilet) or “busy” (as in a phone line).
Diary
Calendar/schedule. “Let me check my diary.”
Being Polite
“Are You Alright?” / “You Alright?”
This is a greeting, not a concern about your wellbeing. The appropriate response is “Yeah, good thanks, you?” not a detailed medical history.
“Not Bad”
Actually means “good.” British understatement at work.
“I’m Afraid…”
A polite way to deliver bad news. “I’m afraid we’re fully booked.”
“Would You Mind…?”
A polite request. “Would you mind moving your bag?”
“Do You Mind If I…?”
Asking permission. “Do you mind if I sit here?”
“I Don’t Mind”
I don’t have a preference. Not “I don’t care” (which sounds rude).
“That’s Fine”
This is okay, I accept this. But watch the tone – it can also mean “I’m not happy but I’ll accept it.”
Weather (You Will Discuss It)
Rubbish / Miserable
Bad weather. “The weather’s been rubbish all week.”
Lovely
Good weather. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”
Scorching
Very hot (by British standards, this might be 75°F/24°C).
Baltic
Extremely cold. “It’s absolutely baltic out there.”
Drizzle
Light rain. Britain’s specialty.
Chucking It Down
Raining heavily. “It’s chucking it down.”
Brightening Up
The weather is improving. Often said with excessive optimism.
Warnings and Practical Notes
Toilet / Loo
Not “bathroom” (that has a bath) or “restroom” (nobody rests there). Ask for “the toilet” or “the loo.”
Ground Floor
What Americans call the first floor. British first floor = American second floor.
Pants
Underwear, not trousers. This causes confusion.
Trousers
What Americans call pants.
Trainers
Sneakers, athletic shoes.
Jumper
Sweater, pullover.
Flat
Apartment.
Lift
Elevator.
Pavement
Sidewalk.
Zebra Crossing
Pedestrian crosswalk with white stripes.
Pelican Crossing
Pedestrian crossing with traffic lights.
Give Way
Yield (on road signs).
Diversion
Detour.
Way Out
Exit (in the Tube).
Mind the Gap
Watch the space between the train and platform.
Common Phrases You’ll Hear
“Excuse me” – Very frequently used; the British are polite.
“After you” – Please go first (expect this at doorways).
“No worries” – That’s fine, don’t worry about it.
“Fair enough” – I accept that, okay then.
“As you do” – Said ironically after describing something unusual.
“At the end of the day” – Ultimately, when everything is considered.
“Fancy a [something]?” – Do you want a [something]? “Fancy a coffee?”
“Pop” [somewhere] – Go quickly. “I’m just going to pop to the shops.”
“Sort [something] out” – Arrange, fix, organize. “Let me sort out the tickets.”
“Can’t be bothered” – Don’t feel like doing something.
“I can’t be arsed” – Ruder version of “can’t be bothered.”
Top Tips
- Say please and thank you constantly. More than you think necessary.
London is one of the world’s great cities, and part of its charm is its language – familiar enough to be comfortable, different enough to be exciting. Armed with this vocabulary, you’ll navigate the city with more confidence, connect with locals more easily, and maybe even feel like less of a tourist.
Right then – off you go. Have a lovely trip!
What British slang surprised you most on your first London visit? Share your stories in the comments!
