London Archives - British Slang Dictionary

Ring road

/ˈrɪŋ rəʊd/

Noun

British term for beltway/bypass around city.

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Gastro-pub

/ˈɡæstrəʊ pʌb/

Noun

British pub serving high-quality restaurant-standard food, portmanteau of 'gastronomy' + 'pub'.

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Foggy

/ˈfɒɡi/

Noun

International term, but British fog culturally significant.

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West End

WEST END /west end/

Noun

Theatre district in London. London's "Broadway."

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Underground

/ˈʌndəɡraʊnd/

Noun

Usually refers to the London Underground but there are other underground subway systems in the UK.

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Septic

SEPTIC /ˈseptic/

Noun

An American. From Cockney Rhyming Slang, as in Septic Tank (rhymes with yank).

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Harley St

HARLEY ST /harley st/

Noun

Street in London where private Doctors practice – usually expensive and exclusive, not part of the NHS.

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Beefeater

BEEF-ee-tur /ˈbiːfiːtə/

Noun

The warder guards of the Tower of London.

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Barnet

BAR-nit /ˈbɑːnɪt/

Noun

Another name for human hair, Cockney roots in the location of Barnet.

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Wonga

WONGA /ˈwoŋa/

Noun

Money.

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