Spanish slang glossary


Welcome to our comprehensive Spanish slang glossary! 🚋🏘💈

Spain isn’t just about flamenco and paella; it’s pulsing with a vibrant array of slang that might bewilder even seasoned language aficionados. Here, we’ve selected the most emblematic Spanish slang terms, detailed with their meanings, origins, and illustrative examples. Whether you’re an ardent Hispanophile or a curious traveler, this guide is your gateway to grasping the colloquial nuances of Spain. Immerse yourself and speak with the flair of a true Spaniard! Without further delay, here’s our extensive list of Spanish slang:

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C
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E
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M
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V
W
X
Y
Z

Trouble finding a certain phrase? Click control + F on your keyboard, and type in the term you’re trying to find. Still not able to find it? Let us know down in the comments below!

A

Acho

  • Meaning: A friendly term used in Murcia and some parts of southern Spain, similar to “mate” or “buddy.”
  • Origin: Possibly derived from “muchacho” meaning “boy” or “guy.”
  • Usage: “¡Acho, hacía tiempo que no te veía!” (“Mate, it’s been a while since I last saw you!”)

Antro

  • Meaning: A somewhat derogatory term for a bar or club, suggesting it’s a bit rundown or sketchy.
  • Origin: Derived from “antro” meaning “cave” or “den” in Spanish.
  • Usage: “No me gusta ese antro, siempre hay problemas allí.” (“I don’t like that dive bar; there’s always trouble there.”)

Apañar

  • Meaning: To fix or manage something.
  • Origin: Possibly from the word “paño” meaning “cloth” or “patch.”
  • Usage: “No te preocupes, lo apañaré.” (“Don’t worry, I’ll fix it.”)

Asco

  • Meaning: Disgust. It’s often used to express strong disapproval or disgust about something.
  • Origin: Directly from the Spanish word for “disgust.”
  • Usage: “¡Qué asco de día!” (“What a disgusting day!”)

Atar

  • Meaning: Literally means to tie up, but in slang, it can mean understanding or “getting it.”
  • Origin: Derived from the Spanish verb “atar” which means “to tie.”
  • Usage: “Ahora lo ato, gracias.” (“Now I get it, thanks.”)

A todo trapo

  • Meaning: Going full out or at full speed.
  • Origin: The term “trapo” means “rag,” but in this context, it’s more about going all out.
  • Usage: “Fue a todo trapo y ganó la carrera.” (“He went full out and won the race.”)

Azotar

  • Meaning: Literally means to whip or lash, but in slang, it can mean to fall hard or crash.
  • Origin: From the Spanish word “azote” meaning “whip” or “lashing.”
  • Usage: “Se azotó con la bici y se hizo daño.” (“He crashed with his bike and got hurt.”)

Aguafiestas

  • Meaning: Party pooper or wet blanket.
  • Origin: Directly translates to “water parties,” indicating someone who dampens the mood.
  • Usage: “No seas aguafiestas y únete a la diversión.” (“Don’t be a party pooper and join the fun.”)

Al loro

  • Meaning: Be alert or pay attention.
  • Origin: “Loro” is a parrot, which is an alert bird.
  • Usage: “Al loro con lo que te digo.” (“Pay attention to what I’m telling you.”)

A mogollón

  • Meaning: In abundance or a lot.
  • Origin: Possibly from gypsy slang.
  • Usage: “Había gente a mogollón en la fiesta.” (“There were loads of people at the party.”)

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B

Bolo

  • Meaning: Gig or show, typically referring to a music concert.
  • Origin: Direct translation is “pin,” but its slang usage has roots in the music industry.
  • Usage: “Voy a un bolo de una banda local esta noche.” (“I’m going to a gig of a local band tonight.”)

Borde

  • Meaning: Rude or edgy.
  • Origin: Direct translation is “edge” or “border.”
  • Usage: “Fue muy borde conmigo sin razón.” (“He was very rude to me for no reason.”)

Botellón

  • Meaning: A gathering, typically of young people, where alcohol is consumed, usually outdoors.
  • Origin: From “botella” which means “bottle.”
  • Usage: “Vamos a hacer un botellón en el parque.” (“We’re going to have a gathering in the park.”)

Bronca

  • Meaning: A fight or argument.
  • Origin: Possibly from the word “broma” meaning “joke,” but used in a more negative sense.
  • Usage: “Tuvieron una bronca enorme ayer.” (“They had a huge argument yesterday.”)

Bocata

  • Meaning: Sandwich.
  • Origin: Shortened from “bocadillo.”
  • Usage: “Me voy a comer un bocata de jamón.” (“I’m going to eat a ham sandwich.”)

Birra

  • Meaning: Beer.
  • Origin: Similar to “birra” in Italian.
  • Usage: “Vamos a tomar una birra después del trabajo.” (“Let’s grab a beer after work.”)

Bollo

  • Meaning: Pastries, but in slang, it can refer to an attractive woman.
  • Origin: From “bollo” meaning “bun” or “pastry.”
  • Usage: “Esa chica es un bollo.” (“That girl is a hottie.”)

Bacalao

  • Meaning: Codfish, but in slang, it refers to electronic music.
  • Origin: The connection is not entirely clear, but it’s a popular term in nightlife.
  • Usage: “Nos vamos a una fiesta de bacalao esta noche.” (“We’re going to an electronic music party tonight.”)

Bamba

  • Meaning: Sneakers or casual shoes.
  • Origin: Possibly influenced by the brand name “Puma” and other sneaker brands.
  • Usage: “Necesito unas bambas nuevas.” (“I need new sneakers.”)

Buitre

  • Meaning: Vulture, but in slang, it refers to someone who is waiting for an opportunity to take advantage of a situation.
  • Origin: Direct translation from “vulture.”
  • Usage: “Está esperando como un buitre a que terminemos.” (“He’s waiting like a vulture for us to finish.”)

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C

Chamba

  • Meaning: Job or work.
  • Origin: Uncertain, but it’s widely used in many Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “Estoy buscando chamba.” (“I’m looking for a job.”)

Chido

  • Meaning: Cool or awesome.
  • Origin: Mostly used in Mexico.
  • Usage: “¡Esa música está muy chida!” (“That music is really cool!”)

Chévere

  • Meaning: Great or fantastic.
  • Origin: Used mainly in Venezuela, Colombia, and some parts of the Caribbean.
  • Usage: “¡Esa fiesta estuvo chévere!” (“That party was great!”)

Chulo

  • Meaning: Pretty or cool. Can also mean cocky or arrogant.
  • Origin: From Spain, but also used in other parts of the Spanish-speaking world.
  • Usage: “Ese coche es muy chulo.” (“That car is really cool.”)

Curro

  • Meaning: Job or work.
  • Origin: Mainly used in Spain.
  • Usage: “Necesito encontrar un curro pronto.” (“I need to find a job soon.”)

Cuates

  • Meaning: Friends or buddies.
  • Origin: Used predominantly in Mexico.
  • Usage: “Voy al cine con mis cuates.” (“I’m going to the movies with my buddies.”)

Chambalear

  • Meaning: To work.
  • Origin: Variation of “chamba” (job).
  • Usage: “He estado chambaleando todo el día.” (“I’ve been working all day.”)

Chécalo

  • Meaning: Check it out.
  • Origin: From “checar” meaning to check and used primarily in Mexico.
  • Usage: “¡Chécalo, hay una oferta en esa tienda!” (“Check it out, there’s a sale in that store!”)

Cuate

  • Meaning: Friend or pal.
  • Origin: Used mainly in Mexico.
  • Usage: “Él es mi cuate desde la primaria.” (“He’s been my pal since elementary school.”)

Cholulo

  • Meaning: A person who is a big fan or is starstruck.
  • Origin: Used in Argentina.
  • Usage: “Siempre se comporta como un cholulo cuando ve a celebridades.” (“He always acts starstruck when he sees celebrities.”)

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D

Dale

  • Meaning: Okay or go ahead.
  • Origin: Widely used in many Spanish-speaking countries, but especially associated with Argentina due to its frequent use in everyday conversations there.
  • Usage: “¿Quieres salir a comer?” “¡Dale!” (“Do you want to go out to eat?” “Okay!”)

Dar bola

  • Meaning: To pay attention to someone.
  • Origin: Used mainly in Argentina and Uruguay.
  • Usage: “No le des bola, solo quiere llamar la atención.” (“Don’t pay attention to him, he just wants to get noticed.”)

De cajón

  • Meaning: Something obvious or clear.
  • Origin: Used in Spain and some Latin American countries.
  • Usage: “Es de cajón que si no estudias, no aprobarás el examen.” (“It’s obvious that if you don’t study, you won’t pass the exam.”)

Desmadre

  • Meaning: Chaos, disorder or a wild party.
  • Origin: Primarily used in Mexico.
  • Usage: “La fiesta de anoche fue un desmadre total.” (“Last night’s party was total chaos.”)

Desparche

  • Meaning: Boredom.
  • Origin: Mostly used in Colombia.
  • Usage: “Estoy en total desparche hoy.” (“I’m totally bored today.”)

De pinga

  • Meaning: Something awesome or, conversely, something terrible.
  • Origin: Used in Cuba.
  • Usage: “Esta fiesta está de pinga.” (“This party is awesome.”) or “Este día estuvo de pinga.” (“This day was terrible.”)

Duro

  • Meaning: Hard or tough, but also used to emphasize agreement or to say something is cool.
  • Origin: Used in several Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “Ese examen estuvo duro.” (“That exam was hard.”) or “¡Esa canción está duro!” (“That song is cool!”)

Dar corte

  • Meaning: To feel embarrassed.
  • Origin: Used in Spain.
  • Usage: “Me da corte hablar en público.” (“I feel embarrassed speaking in public.”)

Dejar plantado

  • Meaning: To stand someone up.
  • Origin: Used throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
  • Usage: “Me dejó plantado en el restaurante.” (“She stood me up at the restaurant.”)

Don

  • Meaning: A title of respect, similar to “Mr.” in English.
  • Origin: Used mainly in Spain but understood everywhere.
  • Usage: “Don Juan es el dueño de la tienda.” (“Mr. Juan is the owner of the store.”)

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E

Echar los perros

  • Meaning: To flirt or hit on someone.
  • Origin: Commonly used in Colombia.
  • Usage: “Juan le está echando los perros a María.” (“Juan is flirting with María.”)

Estar en las nubes

  • Meaning: To be daydreaming or not paying attention.
  • Origin: Widely used in many Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “¿Me escuchas? Parece que estás en las nubes.” (“Are you listening? You seem to be daydreaming.”)

Estar pelado

  • Meaning: To be broke or out of money.
  • Origin: Popular in Colombia.
  • Usage: “No puedo ir al concierto, estoy pelado.” (“I can’t go to the concert, I’m broke.”)

Estar chido

  • Meaning: To be cool or nice.
  • Origin: Used primarily in Mexico.
  • Usage: “Esa película está muy chida.” (“That movie is really cool.”)

Echar una mano

  • Meaning: To lend a hand or help out.
  • Origin: Used across Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “Si necesitas ayuda, dímelo y te echo una mano.” (“If you need help, tell me and I’ll lend you a hand.”)

Estar al loro

  • Meaning: To be alert or stay informed.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Estate al loro de las noticias sobre el tema.” (“Stay informed about the news on the subject.”)

Empollar

  • Meaning: To cram or study intensely, especially before exams.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Tengo que empollar todo el fin de semana para el examen del lunes.” (“I have to cram all weekend for Monday’s exam.”)

Echar un polvo

  • Meaning: To have sexual intercourse.
  • Origin: Widely recognized in Spain.
  • Usage: Not typically used in casual conversations due to its explicit nature.

Estar piripi

  • Meaning: To be tipsy or slightly drunk.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Después de tres cervezas, ya estaba piripi.” (“After three beers, he was already tipsy.”)

Estrenar

  • Meaning: To wear or use something for the first time.
  • Origin: Used in many Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “Voy a estrenar mi vestido nuevo esta noche.” (“I’m going to wear my new dress for the first time tonight.”)

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F

Fregar

  • Meaning: It can mean “to wash” in terms of dishes, but colloquially it can also mean “to bother” or “annoy”.
  • Origin: Common across many Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “No me friegues más con eso.” (“Don’t bother me anymore with that.”)

Fulano

  • Meaning: John Doe, used to refer to an unnamed or generic person.
  • Origin: Widely used in many Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “Fulano, Mengano y Zutano” (Equivalent to saying “Tom, Dick, and Harry” in English.)

Farra

  • Meaning: A party or celebration.
  • Origin: Popular in Ecuador and some other countries.
  • Usage: “El fin de semana hay una farra en mi casa.” (“There’s a party at my house this weekend.”)

Fome

  • Meaning: Boring or dull.
  • Origin: Chile.
  • Usage: “Esa película fue muy fome.” (“That movie was very boring.”)

Facha

  • Meaning: Referring to someone’s look or style, usually positive.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “¡Buena facha!” (“Looking good!”)

Flipear

  • Meaning: To be amazed or astonished.
  • Origin: Spain, influenced by the English word “flip”.
  • Usage: “Flipé cuando vi el resultado del partido.” (“I was amazed when I saw the match result.”)

Fardar

  • Meaning: To show off or brag about something.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Siempre farda de su nuevo coche.” (“He’s always showing off his new car.”)

Fincho

  • Meaning: Refers to a party, especially an informal or spontaneous one.
  • Origin: Panama.
  • Usage: “Vamos al fincho en la casa de Luis.” (“Let’s go to the party at Luis’s house.”)

Fiaca

  • Meaning: Laziness or a lack of will to do something.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Hoy tengo una fiaca tremenda.” (“I feel extremely lazy today.”)

Fruta

  • Meaning: Refers to something that’s easy or not complicated.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Ese examen fue fruta.” (“That exam was easy.”)

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G

Guay

  • Meaning: Cool or awesome.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “¡Esa camiseta es muy guay!” (“That t-shirt is really cool!”)

Güey / Wey

  • Meaning: Dude or bro.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “¿Qué onda, wey?” (“What’s up, dude?”)

Guagua

  • Meaning: Baby or child in some countries, but a bus in others.
  • Origin: Used in countries like Ecuador to mean “baby”, but in countries like Chile to mean “bus”.
  • Usage: “La guagua está llorando.” (“The baby is crying.”) OR “Tomé la guagua para ir al centro.” (“I took the bus to go downtown.”)

Gamba

  • Meaning: A hundred (usually referring to currency).
  • Origin: Argentina and Chile.
  • Usage: “Me costó dos gambas.” (“It cost me two hundred.”)

Gorra

  • Meaning: Literally means “cap”, but slang for freeloading.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Siempre viene de gorra, nunca trae nada.” (“He always comes freeloading, he never brings anything.”)

Grillo

  • Meaning: Girlfriend.
  • Origin: Paraguay.
  • Usage: “Voy a salir con mi grillo.” (“I’m going out with my girlfriend.”)

Guanaco

  • Meaning: Native person or someone of indigenous origin.
  • Origin: Chile.
  • Usage: “El guanaco vive en la cordillera.” (“The native lives in the mountain range.”)

Guita

  • Meaning: Money.
  • Origin: Argentina and Uruguay.
  • Usage: “No tengo guita.” (“I don’t have money.”)

Gil

  • Meaning: Fool or naive person.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “No seas gil.” (“Don’t be a fool.”)

Gallo / Galla

  • Meaning: Guy or girl.
  • Origin: Chile.
  • Usage: “El gallo que viste ayer es mi primo.” (“The guy you saw yesterday is my cousin.”)

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H

Harto

  • Meaning: A lot.
  • Origin: Widespread use across Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “Hace harto calor hoy.” (“It’s very hot today.”)

Huevo

  • Meaning: Literally means “egg”, but slang for testicle. Also used in phrases to mean “a bit” or “little value”.
  • Origin: Widespread use, though meanings vary by country.
  • Usage: “No me importa un huevo.” (“I don’t give a damn.”)

Hacerse el loco

  • Meaning: To play dumb.
  • Origin: Widespread use across Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “Se hizo el loco cuando le pregunté sobre el dinero.” (“He played dumb when I asked him about the money.”)

Hueso

  • Meaning: Hard job or task.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Ese trabajo es un hueso.” (“That job is tough.”)

Hacer la cobra

  • Meaning: To dodge a kiss.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Intentó besarme, pero le hice la cobra.” (“He tried to kiss me, but I dodged it.”)

Huevón / Huevona

  • Meaning: Dude, lazy person.
  • Origin: Countries like Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador, but the meaning can slightly differ.
  • Usage: “¡Oye, huevón, ven acá!” (“Hey dude, come here!”) OR “Eres tan huevona.” (“You are so lazy.”)

Hala

  • Meaning: Expression of surprise or encouragement, similar to “come on” or “go ahead”.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “¡Hala, no sabía que podías hacer eso!” (“Wow, I didn’t know you could do that!”)

Hachís

  • Meaning: Hashish or cannabis resin.
  • Origin: Widespread use across Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “No tengo hachís.” (“I don’t have hash.”)

Hurto

  • Meaning: Stealth, sneaky action.
  • Origin: Widespread use.
  • Usage: “Lo hizo a hurto de todos.” (“He did it stealthily from everyone.”)

Haragán

  • Meaning: Lazy.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Mi hermano es muy haragán.” (“My brother is very lazy.”)

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I

Irse de pinta

  • Meaning: To skip school or work.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Se fue de pinta y no fue a la escuela.” (“He skipped and didn’t go to school.”)

Irse de farra

  • Meaning: Go out partying.
  • Origin: Spain, and some Latin American countries.
  • Usage: “Este fin de semana nos vamos de farra.” (“This weekend we’re going out partying.”)

Idem

  • Meaning: Same here or likewise.
  • Origin: Borrowed from Latin.
  • Usage: “Me encanta el helado – Idem.” (“I love ice cream – Same here.”)

Ir a piñón

  • Meaning: Go at full throttle, to go fast.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Fue a piñón toda la carrera.” (“He went full throttle the entire race.”)

Inútil

  • Meaning: Useless, but often used colloquially between friends as a playful tease.
  • Origin: Widespread use across Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “¡Eres un inútil!” (“You’re useless!”) – meant playfully.

Isla

  • Meaning: Used in Spain, especially in Madrid, referring to a crosswalk.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Cruza por la isla para no tener problemas.” (“Cross at the crosswalk so you won’t have problems.”)

Ídem de ídem

  • Meaning: Emphasizes the “same here” expression.
  • Origin: Borrowed from Latin.
  • Usage: “A mí también me gusta ese grupo – Ídem de ídem.” (“I also like that band – Same exact here.”)

Imbécil

  • Meaning: Idiot. It can be offensive but also playful between friends.
  • Origin: Widespread use.
  • Usage: “¡No seas imbécil!” (“Don’t be an idiot!”)

Irse al garete

  • Meaning: Go down the drain, fall apart.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Todo se fue al garete.” (“Everything went down the drain.”)

Irse la olla

  • Meaning: Lose one’s mind or go crazy.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Se le fue la olla y empezó a gritar.” (“He lost his mind and started yelling.”)

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J

Jamar

  • Meaning: To eat. It’s a colloquial way to say “comer.”
  • Origin: Spain, especially in Madrid.
  • Usage: “Vamos a jamar algo en esa taquería.” (“Let’s eat something at that taco place.”)

Jeta

  • Meaning: Face, often used in a colloquial or informal manner. Also, it can mean “cheek” or “nerve” when referring to someone’s audacity.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “¡Qué jeta tienes!” (“What nerve you have!”)

Joder

  • Meaning: Damn it! or to annoy. It’s a versatile word but can be strong in some contexts.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “¡Joder, me he dejado el móvil en casa!” (“Damn it, I left my phone at home!”)

Joben

  • Meaning: A playful or jocular way to say “young” or “youth.”
  • Origin: Spain, from the word “joven.”
  • Usage: “Ese joben tiene talento.” (“That young lad has talent.”)

Janguear

  • Meaning: To hang out.
  • Origin: Puerto Rico.
  • Usage: “Vamos a janguear en el parque.” (“Let’s hang out at the park.”)

Jirafa

  • Meaning: Used in Chile, it refers to someone who doesn’t drink alcohol at parties.
  • Origin: Chile.
  • Usage: “No quiero ser la jirafa de la fiesta.” (“I don’t want to be the non-drinker at the party.”)

Jeta

  • Meaning: Lazy, particularly in the context of someone who doesn’t like to work.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “No seas jeta y ayuda con la limpieza.” (“Don’t be lazy and help with the cleaning.”)

Jalar

  • Meaning: In some regions, it means to eat, but it can also mean to pull or to snort drugs, depending on context.
  • Origin: Mexico for eating, widespread for pulling.
  • Usage: “Voy a jalar tacos.” (“I’m going to eat tacos.”)

Julieta

  • Meaning: Girlfriend or a romantic interest.
  • Origin: Used in some parts of Latin America.
  • Usage: “Mi julieta me dejó un mensaje.” (“My girlfriend left me a message.”)

Jevi

  • Meaning: Cool or great.
  • Origin: Dominican Republic.
  • Usage: “¡Esa canción es muy jevi!” (“That song is really cool!”)

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K

K-llejero

  • Meaning: Streetwise, someone savvy about urban life.
  • Origin: Combination of “calle” (street) and the English letter ‘K’.
  • Usage: “Juan es muy k-llejero, sabe moverse por la ciudad.” (“Juan is very streetwise, he knows how to move around the city.”)

Kbron (Cabron)

  • Meaning: Buddy, friend. However, it can also be a derogatory term, meaning idiot or jerk, depending on context.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America, derived from “cabra” meaning goat.
  • Usage: “¡Qué onda, kbron!” (“What’s up, buddy!”)

K-fe

  • Meaning: Bad luck, or an unfortunate event.
  • Origin: Puerto Rico, derived from “qué feo” meaning “how ugly.”
  • Usage: “Perdí mi billetera, ¡qué k-fe!” (“I lost my wallet, such bad luck!”)

K-chondo (Cachondo)

  • Meaning: Playful, funny, or sometimes “horny.”
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Ese chiste estuvo muy k-chondo.” (“That joke was very funny.”)

Krippy

  • Meaning: A term used to refer to a high-quality type of marijuana.
  • Origin: Colombia.
  • Usage: “Tiene krippy para vender.” (“He has krippy to sell.”)

Kilito

  • Meaning: A little weight or kilogram. Often used to talk about weight casually.
  • Origin: Latin America, from “kilo.”
  • Usage: “Perdí unos kilitos este mes.” (“I lost a few kilograms this month.”)

King Kong

  • Meaning: In Peru, it’s a sweet made of cookies, pineapple sweet, and “manjar blanco” (a kind of milk caramel).
  • Origin: Peru.
  • Usage: “Me compré un King Kong en la dulcería.” (“I bought a King Kong at the candy store.”)

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L

Ligar

  • Meaning: To flirt or to hook up with someone.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Juan fue a la discoteca a ligar.” (“Juan went to the nightclub to flirt.”)

Laburar

  • Meaning: To work.
  • Origin: Argentina, derived from the Italian “lavorare” which means “to work”.
  • Usage: “Estoy cansado de laburar todo el día.” (“I’m tired of working all day.”)

Lata

  • Meaning: It means “tin” literally but can also mean “bother” or “nuisance”.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “Ese chico me da lata.” (“That guy bothers me.”)

Lanchar

  • Meaning: To have a snack or light meal.
  • Origin: Mexico, possibly from the English “lunch”.
  • Usage: “Vamos a lanchar algo.” (“Let’s have a snack.”)

Loco

  • Meaning: Crazy. It can also be used colloquially to refer to a person, like “dude” or “guy”.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “¡Oye, loco! ¿Cómo estás?” (“Hey, dude! How are you?”)

Luca

  • Meaning: A term for money, specifically 1,000 of something (like 1,000 pesos).
  • Origin: Various Latin American countries.
  • Usage: “Ese teléfono me costó una luca.” (“That phone cost me a thousand [currency].”)

Lomito

  • Meaning: A steak sandwich.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Voy a pedir un lomito con todo.” (“I’m going to order a steak sandwich with everything on it.”)

Llenar el tanque

  • Meaning: Literally “to fill the tank”, it means to eat a lot or to fill oneself up with food.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “Después de esa comida, llené el tanque.” (“After that meal, I filled the tank [I ate a lot].”)

Llorón

  • Meaning: Crybaby or whiner.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “No seas llorón y sigue adelante.” (“Don’t be a crybaby and keep going.”)

Levantar polvo

  • Meaning: Literally “to raise dust”, it means to go fast.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Ese coche levanta polvo en la carretera.” (“That car goes really fast on the road.”)

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M

Molar

  • Meaning: To like or to dig something.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Me mola esa canción.” (“I dig that song.”)

Morro

  • Meaning: Kid, lad, or youngster.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Ese morro es muy inteligente.” (“That kid is very smart.”)

Mina

  • Meaning: A woman or girl.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Esa mina es muy bonita.” (“That girl is very pretty.”)

Macho

  • Meaning: Manly or masculine. It’s also a colloquial way to refer to a male.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “¡Oye, macho! ¿Qué tal?” (“Hey, man! How’s it going?”)

Mangar

  • Meaning: To scrounge or to get something for free.
  • Origin: Spain, possibly influenced by Romani.
  • Usage: “Siempre intenta mangar cigarrillos.” (“He always tries to scrounge cigarettes.”)

Marcar paquete

  • Meaning: To show off or to flaunt.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “No te gusta marcar paquete con tu nuevo coche?” (“Don’t you like to show off with your new car?”)

Meter la pata

  • Meaning: To mess up or put one’s foot in one’s mouth.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “Realmente metí la pata en la reunión.” (“I really messed up in the meeting.”)

Mijo/Mija

  • Meaning: A contraction of “mi hijo/a” meaning “my son/daughter”, but is colloquially used as “dear” or “darling”.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “Mijo, ¿quieres más sopa?” (“Darling, do you want more soup?”)

Movida

  • Meaning: Situation, matter, or movement. In Spain, it can refer to a cultural movement.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “No quiero meterme en esa movida.” (“I don’t want to get involved in that situation.”)

Mono

  • Meaning: Cute or lovely. It also means “monkey”.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Tu vestido es muy mono.” (“Your dress is very cute.”)

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N

Naco

  • Meaning: Vulgar or unsophisticated person. Can be offensive.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “No seas naco.” (“Don’t be vulgar.”)

No mames

  • Meaning: Expresses disbelief or surprise. Can be compared to “No way!” in English.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “No mames, ¿ganaste la lotería?” (“No way, you won the lottery?”)

Ni chicha ni limonada

  • Meaning: Neither one thing nor another; it’s used to say something is not clear or is mediocre.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “Esa película es ni chicha ni limonada.” (“That movie is neither here nor there.”)

Ñapa

  • Meaning: Something extra given for free, especially after a purchase. Similar to a lagniappe in English.
  • Origin: Andean countries.
  • Usage: “¿Me das una ñapa?” (“Can you give me something extra?”)

Ni fu ni fa

  • Meaning: Indifferent or unimpressed.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Me siento ni fu ni fa sobre ese tema.” (“I feel indifferent about that topic.”)

Nene/Nena

  • Meaning: A term of endearment, similar to “baby” or “honey.”
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America, especially the Caribbean.
  • Usage: “Nena, ven aquí.” (“Baby, come here.”)

No dar pie con bola

  • Meaning: Not getting anything right or continually making mistakes.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Hoy no doy pie con bola, todo me sale mal.” (“Today I can’t get anything right, everything is going wrong for me.”)

No hay tu tía

  • Meaning: There’s no solution or remedy. It’s the way it is.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “No hay tu tía, esto no va a cambiar.” (“There’s no remedy, this is not going to change.”)

Novato

  • Meaning: Rookie, newcomer, or beginner.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “Es el novato del equipo.” (“He’s the rookie on the team.”)

Novio/Novia

  • Meaning: Besides meaning boyfriend/girlfriend, it can also colloquially mean a close friend in some contexts.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “Salí con mis novias a la discoteca.” (“I went out with my girlfriends to the nightclub.”)

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O

Onda

  • Meaning: Vibe or wave. Often used to inquire about what’s going on or what someone’s deal is.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “¿Cuál es tu onda?” (“What’s your vibe/deal?”)

Ojo

  • Meaning: Literally means “eye”, but used as a warning to “watch out” or “be careful”.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “¡Ojo con ese perro!” (“Watch out for that dog!”)

Oído

  • Meaning: Means “ear”, but can be used in kitchens to acknowledge you heard something, similar to “heard” in English kitchens.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Necesito dos tacos al pastor – ¡Oído!” (“I need two pastor tacos – Heard!”)

Orale

  • Meaning: Expresses agreement, surprise, or encouragement. It can be compared to “Alright!”, “Okay!”, or “Come on!” in English.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Órale, ¡vamos a hacerlo!” (“Alright, let’s do it!”)

Oso

  • Meaning: Literally “bear”, but slang for an embarrassing situation.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Hacer el oso” (“To embarrass oneself.”)

Otro rollo

  • Meaning: Another thing or a different situation.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “Esa es otra onda.” (“That’s a different thing/situation.”)

Overol

  • Meaning: Overalls or dungarees.
  • Origin: Influenced by English but used in various Latin American countries.
  • Usage: “Voy a usar mi overol para pintar.” (“I’m going to wear my overalls to paint.”)

Ojete

  • Meaning: It can mean stingy, mean, or bad luck. However, it can be vulgar in some contexts.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Tuviste un día ojete.” (“You had a bad luck day.”)

Ósculo

  • Meaning: A poetic or formal term for a kiss.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: Rarely used in daily conversation, more often found in literature.

Oíste

  • Meaning: Did you hear? Often used to grab someone’s attention or check if they are listening.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “Oíste, necesito contarte algo.” (“Listen, I need to tell you something.”)

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P

Pana

  • Meaning: Friend or buddy.
  • Origin: Venezuela.
  • Usage: “Ese es mi pana.” (“That’s my buddy.”)

Paro

  • Meaning: A favor or help.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “¿Me haces un paro?” (“Can you do me a favor?”)

Pata

  • Meaning: Leg or foot, but also used colloquially for “friend” in some countries.
  • Origin: Widespread in Latin America.
  • Usage: “Voy a salir con mis patas.” (“I’m going out with my friends.”)

Pavo

  • Meaning: Turkey (the bird), but also used as slang for “a young man” in Spain.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Ese pavo no sabe lo que dice.” (“That guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”)

Peda

  • Meaning: Party or gathering where alcohol is consumed, can also mean being drunk.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Tuvimos una peda anoche.” (“We had a party last night.”)

Pibe

  • Meaning: Kid or young person.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Ese pibe es muy listo.” (“That kid is very clever.”)

Pichanga

  • Meaning: Informal soccer/football match among friends.
  • Origin: Chile.
  • Usage: “Vamos a jugar una pichanga en el parque.” (“Let’s play a casual soccer match in the park.”)

Pila

  • Meaning: Battery, but can also be used to mean “a lot” in the Dominican Republic.
  • Origin: Dominican Republic.
  • Usage: “Hace pila que no te veo.” (“I haven’t seen you in a long time.”)

Pinche

  • Meaning: It’s a somewhat vulgar way to emphasize dislike or disdain towards something or someone, equivalent to “damn” or “bloody” in English.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Pinche perro me mordió.” (“That damn dog bit me.”)

Pisto

  • Meaning: Money.
  • Origin: Guatemala.
  • Usage: “No tengo pisto.” (“I don’t have money.”)

Pololear

  • Meaning: To date someone.
  • Origin: Chile.
  • Usage: “Están pololeando desde hace meses.” (“They have been dating for months.”)

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Q

Quedo

  • Meaning: Short for “quedarse” meaning to stay or remain. Used colloquially to mean a gathering or hangout.
  • Origin: Various countries.
  • Usage: “Vamos a hacer un quedo en mi casa.” (“Let’s have a hangout at my house.”)

Quitar el sueño

  • Meaning: Literally “take away the sleep,” but means to cause worry or stress.
  • Origin: Common in multiple Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “Esta situación me quita el sueño.” (“This situation keeps me awake at night.”)

Quemar

  • Meaning: Literally means “to burn” but can be slang for revealing someone’s secret.
  • Origin: Multiple Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “¡No me quemes!” (“Don’t spill my secret!”)

Queso

  • Meaning: Literally “cheese” but can refer to someone being a third wheel in romantic situations.
  • Origin: Colombia.
  • Usage: “No quiero ser el queso en la cita de Juan y María.” (“I don’t want to be the third wheel on Juan and Maria’s date.”)

Quilombo

  • Meaning: Mess or chaotic situation.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Esto es un quilombo.” (“This is a mess.”)

Quitar la camisa

  • Meaning: Literally “take off the shirt,” but used to mean to strive or make an effort.
  • Origin: Common in multiple Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “Se quitó la camisa para ayudarnos.” (“He went out of his way to help us.”)

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R

Rollo

  • Meaning: Chat or talk; also means a situation or issue. Can also mean a kind of vibe or aura a person gives off.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “¿Qué rollo tiene con ella?” (“What’s going on with her?”)

Rumbear

  • Meaning: To party or to go out dancing.
  • Origin: Colombia, Venezuela.
  • Usage: “Esta noche vamos a rumbear.” (“Tonight we’re going to party.”)

Rata

  • Meaning: Literally “rat”, but used to describe someone sneaky or untrustworthy.
  • Origin: Multiple Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “No confíes en él, es una rata.” (“Don’t trust him; he’s a rat.”)

Ruco

  • Meaning: Old or worn out. Can also be used to describe an older person, often in a playful or teasing way.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Esa camisa ya está muy ruca.” (“That shirt is really worn out.”)

Relajo

  • Meaning: Mess, chaos, or a joke.
  • Origin: Central America, especially El Salvador.
  • Usage: “¡Qué relajo hicieron en la fiesta!” (“What a mess they made at the party!”)

Rajar

  • Meaning: Literally “to split”, but in slang, it means to gossip or talk behind someone’s back.
  • Origin: Multiple Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “No me gusta rajar de los demás.” (“I don’t like to gossip about others.”)

Rayarse

  • Meaning: To obsess or overthink about something.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “No te rayes con ese tema.” (“Don’t obsess over that issue.”)

Rola

  • Meaning: Song.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Esa rola es mi favorita.” (“That song is my favorite.”)

Ranchero/a

  • Meaning: Related to the countryside or rural life. Also, a type of music genre in Mexico.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Me gusta la música ranchera.” (“I like ranchero music.”)

Raspar

  • Meaning: Literally “to scrape,” but in slang, it means to just pass or barely make it.
  • Origin: Multiple Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “Raspé el examen por un punto.” (“I just passed the exam by one point.”)

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S

Salado

  • Meaning: Unlucky.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Eres bien salado, siempre te pasa algo malo.” (“You’re so unlucky, something bad always happens to you.”)

Sapo

  • Meaning: Snitch, informant.
  • Origin: Multiple Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “No seas sapo y no le digas a la profesora.” (“Don’t be a snitch and don’t tell the teacher.”)

Sobrado

  • Meaning: Cocky, overconfident.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Actúa muy sobrado, pero no sabe nada.” (“He acts very cocky, but he knows nothing.”)

Sobras

  • Meaning: Leftovers. Can also refer to something extra or someone who is not needed in a particular situation.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “En esta reunión hay muchas sobras; no todos son necesarios aquí.” (“There are many extras in this meeting; not everyone is needed here.”)

Soltar prenda

  • Meaning: To give a hint or clue.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “No quiero soltar prenda sobre la sorpresa.” (“I don’t want to give a hint about the surprise.”)

Soroche

  • Meaning: Altitude sickness.
  • Origin: Andean countries.
  • Usage: “Cuando llegué a Cusco, me dio soroche.” (“When I arrived in Cusco, I got altitude sickness.”)

Suate

  • Meaning: A blunder, mistake, or embarrassment.
  • Origin: Colombia.
  • Usage: “Hacer un suate” (“To make a blunder”)

Sumo

  • Meaning: Great, top-notch, the best.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Es de sumo importancia.” (“It’s of great importance.”)

Sifrino

  • Meaning: Snob, upper-class person.
  • Origin: Venezuela.
  • Usage: “No me gusta salir con sifrinos.” (“I don’t like going out with snobs.”)

Ser un hueso

  • Meaning: To be tough, hard to deal with.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Ese profesor es un hueso.” (“That teacher is tough.”)

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T

Tajo

  • Meaning: Job or work.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Tengo que ir al tajo temprano mañana.” (“I have to go to work early tomorrow.”)

Tinto

  • Meaning: Black coffee without milk.
  • Origin: Colombia.
  • Usage: “¿Quieres un tinto?” (“Do you want a black coffee?”)

Tomar el pelo

  • Meaning: To pull someone’s leg, to tease.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “¡No me tomes el pelo!” (“Don’t pull my leg!”)

Tranca

  • Meaning: Big problem or obstacle.
  • Origin: Venezuela.
  • Usage: “Tengo una tranca con ese proyecto.” (“I have a big problem with that project.”)

Tronco/Tronca

  • Meaning: Dude, mate. Used as an informal way to address a friend.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “¡Hola, tronco! ¿Cómo estás?” (“Hey, dude! How are you?”)

Tumbao

  • Meaning: A person’s unique swagger or style of walking.
  • Origin: Caribbean countries, especially Cuba and Puerto Rico.
  • Usage: “Esa chica tiene un tumbao especial.” (“That girl has a unique swagger.”)

Turro

  • Meaning: Shoddy, of poor quality.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Ese restaurante es muy turro.” (“That restaurant is very shoddy.”)

Tío/Tía

  • Meaning: Guy, dude, mate. Used colloquially to address a person informally.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “¿Qué tal, tío?” (“What’s up, dude?”)

Tener mala leche

  • Meaning: To have bad luck or to be in a bad mood.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Hoy tiene mala leche.” (“He’s in a bad mood today.”)

Tostado

  • Meaning: Burnt out, exhausted.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Después del trabajo, estoy tostado.” (“After work, I’m burnt out.”)

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U

Uña

  • Meaning: Literally “nail”, but used colloquially to refer to a close friend.
  • Origin: Dominican Republic.
  • Usage: “Ella es mi uña y mugre.” (“She’s my close friend.”)

Una birra

  • Meaning: A beer.
  • Origin: Spain, influenced by English.
  • Usage: “Voy a tomar una birra con los amigos.” (“I’m going to have a beer with friends.”)

Una lana

  • Meaning: Money.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “¿Tienes una lana que me prestes?” (“Do you have some money you can lend me?”)

Una pasta

  • Meaning: A lot of money.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Ese coche debe haber costado una pasta.” (“That car must have cost a lot of money.”)

Una pava

  • Meaning: A girl or young woman.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “La pava esa es mi prima.” (“That girl is my cousin.”)

Una y carne

  • Meaning: Two people who are very close, inseparable.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Esas dos son una y carne, siempre están juntas.” (“Those two are inseparable, they’re always together.”)

Untar

  • Meaning: To bribe.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Dicen que lo untaron para que no dijera nada.” (“They say he was bribed so he wouldn’t say anything.”)

Upa

  • Meaning: An exclamation similar to “Wow!” or “Oh my!”
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “¡Upa! Eso fue inesperado.” (“Wow! That was unexpected.”)

Usar el coco

  • Meaning: To use your brain, think hard.
  • Origin: Widespread across Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Usage: “Usa el coco y resuelve el problema.” (“Use your brain and solve the problem.”)

Ustedes

  • Meaning: “You all” or “y’all”. In some regions, “ustedes” is used in both formal and informal situations instead of “vosotros”.
  • Origin: Widespread across Spanish-speaking countries, especially in Latin America.
  • Usage: “¿Ustedes vienen a la fiesta?” (“Are you all coming to the party?”)

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V

Vaina

  • Meaning: Thing, stuff, or matter. A very versatile word that can refer to almost anything.
  • Origin: Popular in Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Venezuela.
  • Usage: “¿Qué es esa vaina?” (“What is that thing?”)

Vale

  • Meaning: Okay, all right.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: “Vale, nos vemos mañana.” (“Okay, see you tomorrow.”)

Vato

  • Meaning: Guy or dude.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Ese vato es mi hermano.” (“That dude is my brother.”)

Verija

  • Meaning: Vulgar slang for female genitals.
  • Origin: Spain.
  • Usage: Not typically used in polite conversation.

Vieja

  • Meaning: Old woman, but can also refer to one’s girlfriend.
  • Origin: Various Latin American countries.
  • Usage: “Mi vieja no quiere que salga esta noche.” (“My girlfriend doesn’t want me to go out tonight.”)

Viruji

  • Meaning: A word used to describe something that is cool or awesome.
  • Origin: Andalusia, Spain.
  • Usage: “Esa camisa está viruji.” (“That shirt is cool.”)

Volado

  • Meaning: High, usually due to drugs.
  • Origin: Mexico.
  • Usage: “Juan está bien volado.” (“Juan is really high.”)

Volarse

  • Meaning: To get high.
  • Origin: Chile.
  • Usage: “Se voló con ese cigarro.” (“He got high with that joint.”)

Voseo

  • Meaning: The act of using “vos” instead of “tú” as a second person singular pronoun.
  • Origin: Common in Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Central America.
  • Usage: “En Argentina usamos el voseo.” (“In Argentina, we use voseo.”)

Vaina

  • Meaning: Thing or stuff, used in a very general way.
  • Origin: Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela.
  • Usage: “Dame esa vaina.” (“Give me that thing.”)

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W

Wachiman

  • Meaning: Security guard or watchman.
  • Origin: Borrowed from English “watchman” and adapted phonetically to Spanish, common in several Latin American countries.
  • Usage: “El wachiman de la tienda nos detuvo.” (“The store’s security guard stopped us.”)

Wachiturro

  • Meaning: A term used to describe a person who follows the “wachiturro” urban style, characterized by a certain type of clothing and behavior.
  • Origin: Argentina.
  • Usage: “Los wachiturros tienen un estilo de baile propio.” (“The wachiturros have their own dance style.”)

Wai-fai

  • Meaning: Wi-Fi.
  • Origin: Phonetic adaptation of the English term “Wi-Fi.”
  • Usage: “¿Tienen wai-fai en este café?” (“Do you have Wi-Fi in this cafe?”)

Wáter

  • Meaning: Toilet.
  • Origin: Borrowed from English “water” (referring to water closet) and adapted to Spanish pronunciation.
  • Usage: “Voy al wáter.” (“I’m going to the toilet.”)

Wincha

  • Meaning: Winch (a hauling or lifting device).
  • Origin: Borrowed from the English word “winch.”
  • Usage: “Necesitamos una wincha para mover este objeto pesado.” (“We need a winch to move this heavy object.”)

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X

Xeque

  • Meaning: Check, in the context of the game of chess.
  • Origin: Borrowed from the Portuguese word “xeque”, meaning check in chess.
  • Usage: “¡Xeque mate!” (“Checkmate!”)

Xilófono

  • Meaning: Xylophone.
  • Origin: Borrowed from the Greek word “xýlon” (wood) and “phōnē” (voice).
  • Usage: “Mi hijo quiere un xilófono para su cumpleaños.” (“My son wants a xylophone for his birthday.”)

Xolo

  • Meaning: Short for Xoloitzcuintli, a breed of hairless dog native to Mexico.
  • Origin: From the Nahuatl word “xolotl” (god) and “itzcuintli” (dog).
  • Usage: “El xolo es considerado uno de los perros más antiguos del mundo.” (“The Xolo is considered one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.”)

Xoxo

  • Meaning: Hugs and kisses, used at the end of letters or messages.
  • Origin: Imitative of the sound of a kiss.
  • Usage: “Te veo mañana. ¡Xoxo!” (“See you tomorrow. Xoxo!”)

Xampú

  • Meaning: Shampoo.
  • Origin: Borrowed from the English word “shampoo”.
  • Usage: “Se me acabó el xampú, debo comprar más.” (“I ran out of shampoo; I need to buy more.”)

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Y

Yate

  • Meaning: Yacht.
  • Origin: Borrowed from the English word “yacht”.
  • Usage: “El empresario tiene un yate en el puerto.” (“The businessman has a yacht in the harbor.”)

Yema

  • Meaning: Yolk of an egg; also the fleshy part of the fingers.
  • Origin: From the Old Spanish word “gema”, which means bud or jewel.
  • Usage: “Me gusta la clara del huevo más que la yema.” (“I like the egg white more than the yolk.”)

Yerba

  • Meaning: Herb; commonly used in the context of “yerba mate”, a popular drink in South America.
  • Origin: From the Latin word “herba”.
  • Usage: “Voy a preparar un mate. ¿Quieres?” (“I’m going to prepare some mate. Want some?”)

Yeso

  • Meaning: Plaster, as in a cast for broken bones.
  • Origin: From the Latin word “gypsum”.
  • Usage: “Después del accidente, estuvo con yeso en la pierna por dos meses.” (“After the accident, he had a plaster cast on his leg for two months.”)

Yincana

  • Meaning: Gymkhana, a type of event with various games and activities, often used for team building.
  • Origin: Borrowed from the English word “gymkhana”.
  • Usage: “El equipo de recursos humanos organizó una yincana para integrar a los empleados nuevos.” (“The HR team organized a gymkhana to integrate the new employees.”)

Yunque

  • Meaning: Anvil, a block with a hard surface upon which another object is struck.
  • Origin: From the Latin word “incus”.
  • Usage: “El herrero forjó la espada en el yunque.” (“The blacksmith forged the sword on the anvil.”)

Yoyo

  • Meaning: Yo-yo, a toy that goes up and down a string.
  • Origin: Possibly onomatopoeic, imitating the motion.
  • Usage: “Mi abuelo solía hacer trucos con el yoyo.” (“My grandfather used to do tricks with the yo-yo.”)

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Z

Zafar

  • Meaning: To escape or get out of a situation.
  • Origin: Possibly from Arabic origin, related to the idea of release or deliverance.
  • Usage: “Pude zafar del compromiso al que no quería ir.” (“I managed to get out of the commitment I didn’t want to go to.”)

Zalamero

  • Meaning: Flattering, someone who uses sweet words or caresses excessively.
  • Origin: Likely from Andalusian Arabic.
  • Usage: “No te dejes engañar por sus palabras zalameras.” (“Don’t be fooled by his flattering words.”)

Zarpar

  • Meaning: To set sail or depart, often used for ships but can also be used metaphorically.
  • Origin: Possibly from the word “zarpa”, which means claw or paw in Spanish.
  • Usage: “El barco zarpó al amanecer.” (“The ship set sail at dawn.”)

Zasca

  • Meaning: A term used to denote a sharp and effective response, like a “burn” or “gotcha” moment.
  • Origin: Onomatopoeic, representing the sound of a slap or quick action.
  • Usage: “¡Zasca! Le dio una respuesta que no esperaba.” (“Boom! She gave him a response he wasn’t expecting.”)

Zona

  • Meaning: Zone or area.
  • Origin: From the Latin word “zona”.
  • Usage: “La zona comercial está llena de tiendas y restaurantes.” (“The commercial zone is full of shops and restaurants.”)

Zumbar

  • Meaning: To hit or smack, especially with some force.
  • Origin: Onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of a hit.
  • Usage: “El balón le zumbó en la cabeza.” (“The ball smacked him in the head.”)

Zutano

  • Meaning: Equivalent to “so-and-so” in English, referring to an unspecified person.
  • Origin: From old Spanish, perhaps a combination of words.
  • Usage: “Zutano y Mengano siempre están discutiendo.” (“So-and-so and what’s-his-name are always arguing.”)

Zambullida

  • Meaning: A dive or a plunge, typically into water.
  • Origin: From the verb “zambullir” meaning to dive or plunge.
  • Usage: “Hizo una zambullida impresionante desde el trampolín.” (“He made an impressive dive from the diving board.”)

Zarandear

  • Meaning: To shake or jostle, usually with some force.
  • Origin: Possibly from pre-Roman origin.
  • Usage: “Los niños zarandearon el árbol para hacer caer las frutas.” (“The children shook the tree to make the fruits fall.”)

Zapatear

  • Meaning: To stamp or tap one’s feet, especially when dancing.
  • Origin: From “zapato” which means shoe in Spanish.
  • Usage: “Zapateó con fuerza al ritmo de la música flamenca.” (“She stamped her feet forcefully to the rhythm of the flamenco music.”)

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That’s it for our list of Spanish slang! Thanks for continuing to expand your vocabulary with us.  Did we miss something? Let us know down below in the comments ⤵.

Fascinated by Slang? Explore More!
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British slang glossary


Welcome to our comprehensive British slang glossary! 🚋🏘💈

Britain isn’t just about the Queen’s Guard and afternoon tea; it’s brimming with a rich tapestry of slang and expressions that might leave even the most adept linguists scratching their heads. Here, we’ve handpicked the most quintessential UK slang terms, complete with their meanings, origins, and illustrative examples. Whether you’re a Brit at heart or a fascinated tourist, this guide will be your ticket to mastering the lingo of the land. Dive in and speak like a true Brit! Without further ado, here’s our comprehensive list of British slang:

Quick navigation:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Trouble finding a certain phrase? Click control + F on your keyboard, and type in the term you’re trying to find. Still not able to find it? Let us know down in the comments below!

A

Aggro

  • Meaning: Short for “aggravation”. It’s used to describe someone being aggressive or causing trouble.
  • Origin: Abbreviation of “aggravation”.
  • Usage: “There was a bit of aggro at the pub last night.”

All mouth and no trousers

  • Meaning: Someone who talks a lot but doesn’t follow through with their words.
  • Origin: Describes someone who’s all talk without substance, as if they forgot to put their trousers on.
  • Usage: “He claims he’ll beat the record, but he’s all mouth and no trousers.”

Anorak

  • Meaning: A person obsessively interested in a thing, especially something niche. Can be somewhat derogatory.
  • Origin: Refers to the anorak jackets that stereotypical hobbyists might wear.
  • Usage: “He’s such an anorak about train schedules.”

Arse

  • Meaning: Refers to the buttocks. Can also mean a person or way of behavior.
  • Origin: Old English “ærs”.
  • Usage: “Get off your arse and do some work!”

Arse over tit

  • Meaning: Falling over, usually in a clumsy manner.
  • Origin: A colorful way to describe someone tumbling down.
  • Usage: “I went arse over tit on that icy patch.”

Anti-clockwise

  • Meaning: Opposite direction to the way clock hands move, known as “counter-clockwise” in many other places.
  • Origin: Descriptive.
  • Usage: “Turn the knob anti-clockwise.”

Apples and pears

  • Meaning: Cockney rhyming slang for stairs.
  • Origin: Classic East London rhyming slang.
  • Usage: “I’m heading up the apples and pears to bed.”

Argy-bargy

  • Meaning: A disagreement or heated argument.
  • Origin: Possibly from “argue”, repeated for emphasis.
  • Usage: “There was a bit of argy-bargy after the match.”

Arm and a leg

  • Meaning: Very expensive.
  • Origin: The idea that something is so costly it’s like giving up a vital part of oneself.
  • Usage: “This handbag cost an arm and a leg!”

A&E

  • Meaning: Accident and Emergency department in a hospital, similar to the ER (Emergency Room) in the U.S.
  • Origin: Abbreviation.
  • Usage: “He hurt his hand and had to go to A&E.”

At loggerheads

  • Meaning: In disagreement or dispute with someone.
  • Origin: Possibly from the use of loggerhead tools that were heated and used in certain industries.
  • Usage: “The two families have been at loggerheads for years.”

Away with the fairies

  • Meaning: Daydreaming or not paying attention.
  • Origin: Refers to the whimsical nature of fairies and being in a dreamlike state.
  • Usage: “Sorry, I missed that. I was away with the fairies.”

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B

Baccy

  • Meaning: Tobacco.
  • Origin: Abbreviation of “tobacco”.
  • Usage: “Got any baccy for this pipe?”

Bagsy

  • Meaning: Calling dibs on something.
  • Origin: Possibly from children’s language.
  • Usage: “Bagsy the front seat!”

Barmy

  • Meaning: Crazy or mad.
  • Origin: From “barm”, meaning fermenting froth in beer-making, implying agitation.
  • Usage: “You must be barmy to jump into that cold water!”

Bee’s knees

  • Meaning: Something excellent or of high quality.
  • Origin: 1920s American slang. The exact origins are unclear.
  • Usage: “This new song is the bee’s knees!”

Bellend

  • Meaning: A derogatory term, calling someone an idiot.
  • Origin: Refers to the glans of the penis.
  • Usage: “Stop being such a bellend!”

Bender

  • Meaning: A drinking spree.
  • Origin: To bend one’s elbow while drinking.
  • Usage: “He’s been on a bender since Friday.”

Bespoke

  • Meaning: Custom or tailor-made.
  • Origin: Originated from when material for a suit was “spoken for” by a tailor.
  • Usage: “She ordered a bespoke gown for the ball.”

Blimey

  • Meaning: An exclamation of surprise.
  • Origin: Likely a corruption of “Blind me!” or “God blind me!”
  • Usage: “Blimey, that was a close call!”

Blinkered

  • Meaning: Having a narrow or limited outlook.
  • Origin: Refers to the blinkers used on horses to keep them seeing straight ahead only.
  • Usage: “You have such a blinkered view of the situation.”

Bodge

  • Meaning: To do a clumsy or inelegant job of fixing something.
  • Origin: Possibly from “botch”.
  • Usage: “I tried to fix the sink but I made a bodge of it.”

Bog roll

  • Meaning: Toilet paper.
  • Origin: “Bog” is slang for toilet.
  • Usage: “We’re out of bog roll!”

Bollocks

  • Meaning: Nonsense or something incorrect; also refers to testicles.
  • Origin: Old English “beallucas” meaning testicles.
  • Usage: “What he’s saying is absolute bollocks!”

Boot

  • Meaning: The trunk of a car.
  • Origin: Descriptive of the storage space at the back of a vehicle.
  • Usage: “Put the groceries in the boot.”

Brassed off

  • Meaning: Annoyed or fed up.
  • Origin: Possibly from the use of brass instruments which can be loud and annoying.
  • Usage: “I’m really brassed off with this situation.”

Brekkie

  • Meaning: Breakfast.
  • Origin: Abbreviation.
  • Usage: “What are we having for brekkie?”

Brill

  • Meaning: Short for “brilliant”.
  • Origin: Abbreviation.
  • Usage: “That’s a brill idea!”

Bubble

  • Meaning: To cry or to be in tears.
  • Origin: Possibly from the notion of eyes welling up with tears.
  • Usage: “The film was so sad, it made me bubble.”

Bugger

  • Meaning: A term of affection or frustration; also used to denote something gone wrong.
  • Origin: From Middle French “bougre” for heretic, referring to Bulgarians of the Bogomil sect.
  • Usage: “The car won’t start! Oh, bugger.”

Bumf

  • Meaning: Unwanted or excessive paperwork or documentation.
  • Origin: Short for “bum fodder”, implying its only use would be as toilet paper.
  • Usage: “I’ve got a drawer full of bumf from the bank.”

Butcher’s

  • Meaning: A look. Short for “butcher’s hook” in Cockney rhyming slang.
  • Origin: Cockney rhyming slang.
  • Usage: “Give me a butcher’s at that!”

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C

Chav

  • Meaning: A derogatory term used to describe someone perceived as lower-class and displaying brash behavior, cheap clothing.
  • Origin: Uncertain. Some theories suggest it’s from “Chatham Average” or Romany word “chavi” (meaning child).
  • Usage: “Look at those chavs hanging out at the mall.”

Cheeky

  • Meaning: Slightly disrespectful, but in a playful or appealing way.
  • Origin: Referring to someone’s boldness or audacity, as if “showing cheek”.
  • Usage: “He took a cheeky bite of my sandwich!”

Chinwag

  • Meaning: A chat or conversation.
  • Origin: From the motion of the chin during talking.
  • Usage: “We had a good chinwag over coffee.”

Chuffed

  • Meaning: Pleased or satisfied.
  • Origin: Possibly from the sound of steam being released, like a steam engine puffing.
  • Usage: “I’m absolutely chuffed with my new bike.”

Clanger

  • Meaning: A mistake or blunder.
  • Origin: Refers to the sound of something being dropped.
  • Usage: “He dropped a real clanger in the meeting.”

Clobber

  • Meaning: Clothes.
  • Origin: Possibly from the word “clob”, meaning a lump or piece.
  • Usage: “Nice clobber! Going out tonight?”

Cock-up

  • Meaning: A mistake or something done wrong.
  • Origin: Naval term referring to a mishap with rigging.
  • Usage: “The whole event was a massive cock-up.”

Codswallop

  • Meaning: Nonsense.
  • Origin: Rumored (though likely apocryphal) to be from Hiram Codd, an inventor of a bottle for fizzy drinks, and “wallop”, a slang term for beer.
  • Usage: “What he said is absolute codswallop.”

Cor

  • Meaning: An exclamation of surprise or admiration.
  • Origin: Possibly a contraction of “God”.
  • Usage: “Cor, look at that!”

Crisps

  • Meaning: Potato chips.
  • Origin: Descriptive, from the crisp nature of the snack.
  • Usage: “Can you grab a bag of crisps from the shop?”

Cuppa

  • Meaning: A cup of tea.
  • Origin: Abbreviation.
  • Usage: “Fancy a cuppa?”

Curtains

  • Meaning: Refers to the end or death.
  • Origin: Refers to the closing of curtains at the end of a performance.
  • Usage: “If he finds out, it’s curtains for you.”

Chunter

  • Meaning: To talk or mutter in a low or indistinct manner; grumble.
  • Origin: Possible alteration of “chatter”.
  • Usage: “He continued to chunter about the decision.”

Chap

  • Meaning: A man or boy.
  • Origin: Shortened form of “chapman”, an old term for a trader or merchant.
  • Usage: “He’s a nice chap, isn’t he?”

Cracking

  • Meaning: Excellent or very good.
  • Origin: Possibly related to “crack” as something outstanding (from Irish “craic”, meaning fun).
  • Usage: “That’s a cracking idea!”

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D

Daft

  • Meaning: Silly or foolish.
  • Origin: From Old English “gedæfte” meaning gentle or meek.
  • Usage: “Don’t be daft, that’s not how it works.”

Dekko

  • Meaning: A quick look or glance.
  • Origin: From the Hindi word “dekho” meaning look.
  • Usage: “Give me a dekko at what you’re working on.”

Dicky

  • Meaning: Not feeling well or something malfunctioning.
  • Origin: Uncertain. Possibly rhyming slang (Dicky Bird = word) or related to Richard III, who had a crooked back.
  • Usage: “The radio’s gone a bit dicky.”

Dishy

  • Meaning: Attractive or good-looking, usually referring to a man.
  • Origin: “Dish” in the sense of something desirable on a plate.
  • Usage: “That new actor is quite dishy.”

Dodgy

  • Meaning: Suspicious, unreliable, or of questionable quality.
  • Origin: Possibly related to the verb “dodge”.
  • Usage: “I wouldn’t buy anything from that dodgy shop.”

Dog’s Bollocks

  • Meaning: Something that’s the very best in its category.
  • Origin: Likely from “the cat’s whiskers” (meaning the same thing) with a more humorous twist.
  • Usage: “This new game is the dog’s bollocks!”

Dosh

  • Meaning: Money.
  • Origin: Unknown. Possibly related to the word “dash”, which once meant to sprinkle or to pay out.
  • Usage: “How much dosh did you spend on that?”

Draughts

  • Meaning: A board game known as checkers in the U.S.
  • Origin: From the Old English “drag-“, meaning to pull or to draw.
  • Usage: “Fancy a game of draughts?”

Drop a clanger

  • Meaning: Make a mistake or say something embarrassing.
  • Origin: Related to “clanger”, which refers to a mistake.
  • Usage: “He really dropped a clanger during the presentation.”

Duff

  • Meaning: Something that’s broken or not working properly; also means a beating as in “to give someone a duffing up”.
  • Origin: Possibly from the word “duff up”, meaning to mistreat or manhandle.
  • Usage: “This old car’s duff.”

Duvet

  • Meaning: A quilted blanket filled with down or feathers, known as a “comforter” in the U.S.
  • Origin: From the French word “duvet”, meaning down (as of a bird).
  • Usage: “It’s cold tonight; put another duvet on the bed.”

Do one

  • Meaning: Go away or leave.
  • Origin: Uncertain. Colloquial and informal.
  • Usage: “I’ve had enough of this, I’m going to do one.”

Dodge

  • Meaning: A cunning trick or shifty deception.
  • Origin: From the action of dodging or avoiding something.
  • Usage: “That was a smart dodge to avoid the traffic.”

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E

Earwig

  • Meaning: To eavesdrop on someone’s conversation.
  • Origin: Refers to the insect ‘earwig’ believed to crawl into human ears and the association with listening closely.
  • Usage: “Stop trying to earwig on our conversation!”

Easy Peasy

  • Meaning: Something very easy.
  • Origin: Expanded version of ‘easy’, with the playful rhyme added for emphasis.
  • Usage: “Getting that job done was easy peasy.”

Elevenses

  • Meaning: A short break taken around 11 a.m. to consume a light refreshment, often with tea or coffee.
  • Origin: Refers to the time, 11 a.m., when this break is typically taken.
  • Usage: “I’m just making some scones for elevenses.”

Engaged

  • Meaning: A public toilet is in use. Also means a phone line is busy.
  • Origin: Comes from the idea of being busy or occupied.
  • Usage: “Wait a moment, the restroom is engaged.”

Ever so

  • Meaning: Very or extremely.
  • Origin: A way of emphasizing a description.
  • Usage: “Thank you, that’s ever so kind of you.”

Excuse my French

  • Meaning: An apology for swearing or using a bad word.
  • Origin: It’s a way of apologizing by pretending the swear word is a foreign language.
  • Usage: “He’s a pain in the ass, excuse my French.”

Eggy

  • Meaning: Being annoyed or in a mood.
  • Origin: Possibly from the delicate nature of eggs and how easily they can be broken.
  • Usage: “She’s been a bit eggy since this morning.”

Ends

  • Meaning: A term often used in London to refer to a particular area or neighborhood.
  • Origin: Simply short for “end of the street” or a specific locality.
  • Usage: “Which ends are you from?”

Ere

  • Meaning: Short for “here” in phrases like “What’s going on here?”
  • Origin: Colloquial abbreviation.
  • Usage: “Oi, what’s going on ere?”

Ey up

  • Meaning: A greeting, much like “Hello” or “Hey there”. Mostly used in the North of England.
  • Origin: Derived from “hey up”, where “up” is an old Middle English word meaning “on the rise” or “awake”.
  • Usage: “Ey up, mate. How’s it going?”

Easel

  • Meaning: Not to be confused with the tripod stand for artists, in slang, it can mean easy.
  • Origin: Rhyming slang, where words rhyme with the intended word.
  • Usage: “Don’t worry, it’s easel.”

Elbow Grease

  • Meaning: Hard physical work, especially when cleaning or polishing something.
  • Origin: Refers to the effort of scrubbing, which requires one to use their elbows energetically.
  • Usage: “You’ll need some elbow grease to clean that stain.”

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F

Fag

  • Meaning: A cigarette.
  • Origin: Possibly shortened from ‘fag end’, which means the leftover or useless part, referring to the cigarette butt.
  • Usage: “Do you have a fag I could borrow?”

Faff

  • Meaning: To waste time on unimportant things; dithering.
  • Origin: It’s believed to come from the 17th century word ‘faffle’, which meant to flap about in the wind.
  • Usage: “Stop faffing about and get on with it!”

Fancy

  • Meaning: To like or be attracted to.
  • Origin: Derived from the old French word ‘fantaisie’, which means preference or desire.
  • Usage: “I really fancy a cup of tea right now.” or “Do you fancy him?”

Fit

  • Meaning: Attractive or good-looking.
  • Origin: A play on someone being in ‘fit’ physical shape.
  • Usage: “Did you see that guy? He’s fit!”

Flakey

  • Meaning: Unreliable; tends to forget or bail out on commitments.
  • Origin: Comes from the idea of something that easily falls apart, like flaky pastry.
  • Usage: “I wouldn’t count on him, he’s a bit flakey.”

Full of beans

  • Meaning: To be lively, energetic.
  • Origin: Refers to horses that were fed beans to increase their vitality and energy.
  • Usage: “My kids are full of beans this morning.”

Fortnight

  • Meaning: A period of two weeks.
  • Origin: From Old English ‘fēowertēne niht’, literally meaning fourteen nights.
  • Usage: “I’ll be on holiday for a fortnight.”

Full Monty

  • Meaning: The whole thing, full measure.
  • Origin: Possibly referring to Field Marshal Montgomery, a British officer in WWII, who was known for his full breakfasts. Another theory relates it to a strip show where everything is shown.
  • Usage: “If you’re going to have a roast, might as well go the full monty and include all the trimmings.”

Footy

  • Meaning: Football (or soccer, as it’s known in the US).
  • Origin: Abbreviation of “football.”
  • Usage: “Are you watching the footy tonight?”

Flog

  • Meaning: To sell something.
  • Origin: A reapplication of an older meaning, which was to beat or whip, suggesting the idea of pushing or getting rid of something.
  • Usage: “I’m going to flog my old sofa.”

Fiver

  • Meaning: A five-pound note.
  • Origin: Simply derived from “five.”
  • Usage: “Can you lend me a fiver?”

Fringe

  • Meaning: Bangs (the part of the hair that’s cut straight and hangs above the eyebrows).
  • Origin: Refers to the edge or border of something.
  • Usage: “I’m thinking of getting a fringe.”

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G

Gaff

  • Meaning: Home or place.
  • Origin: Possibly derived from Romany ‘gav’, meaning town or village.
  • Usage: “Come over to my gaff later for some tea.”

Gaffer

  • Meaning: The boss or person in charge.
  • Origin: From “gaff” which originally meant a fishing hook, leading to the meaning of someone who oversees fishing, and then more broadly, someone in charge.
  • Usage: “Ask the gaffer if we can leave early today.”

Gallivant

  • Meaning: To go around from one place to another in the pursuit of pleasure or entertainment.
  • Origin: Late 18th century alteration of ‘galant’ (associated with going about and flirting).
  • Usage: “She’s been gallivanting around Europe all summer.”

Gammy

  • Meaning: Something that’s injured or lame. Often used to describe a leg or foot.
  • Origin: Possibly from an alteration of the word ‘gimpy.’
  • Usage: “I’ve got a gammy leg after that football match.”

Geezer

  • Meaning: A man, often particularly used to describe an older man.
  • Origin: Originally referred to someone who went around in disguise, from the word ‘guise’. Its meaning has evolved over time.
  • Usage: “He’s a proper old geezer.”

Gobsmacked

  • Meaning: Amazed; astounded; utterly shocked.
  • Origin: From “gob” (mouth) and the word “smack”, suggesting the idea of being so surprised as if one had been slapped across the mouth.
  • Usage: “I was absolutely gobsmacked when I heard the news.”

Gutted

  • Meaning: Deeply disappointed or upset.
  • Origin: Referring to the idea of having one’s insides or guts removed.
  • Usage: “I was gutted when my team lost the match.”

Guv’nor (or Guv)

  • Meaning: A term of address or title of respect for a man, often used humorously.
  • Origin: Short for “governor”, which was used as a title of respect for men.
  • Usage: “Alright, guv’nor? How’s it going?”

Grub

  • Meaning: Food.
  • Origin: Possibly from the old word “grub” meaning to dig, as in digging for food.
  • Usage: “What’s for grub tonight?”

Give it some welly

  • Meaning: Put more effort into something or go faster.
  • Origin: Refers to “Wellington boots”, implying the action of pressing down on a car’s accelerator pedal.
  • Usage: “If we want to get there on time, we need to give it some welly.”

Gander

  • Meaning: Have a look.
  • Origin: Derived from the way a gander (a male goose) stretches its neck to look at something.
  • Usage: “Have a gander at this magazine.”

Gobby

  • Meaning: Someone who talks a lot and often loudly, sometimes in a rude manner.
  • Origin: Comes from “gob”, slang for mouth.
  • Usage: “She’s so gobby; she never stops talking.”

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H

Haggle

  • Meaning: Negotiate the price of something.
  • Origin: Early 17th century, from an Old Norse word meaning “to chop or cut”.
  • Usage: “He tried to haggle with the street vendor to get a better deal on the scarf.”

Hard lines

  • Meaning: Bad luck.
  • Origin: Refers to the concept of hard boundaries or limits.
  • Usage: “Hard lines, mate. Maybe next time.”

Her Majesty’s pleasure

  • Meaning: In prison.
  • Origin: Refers to the British monarch; being imprisoned is officially done by order of the monarch, hence at “Her Majesty’s pleasure”.
  • Usage: “He won’t be out for a while; he’s staying at Her Majesty’s pleasure.”

Hunky-dory

  • Meaning: Everything is fine; okay.
  • Origin: Uncertain, but possibly from an American slang term.
  • Usage: “How’s everything going?” “It’s all hunky-dory.”

Have a butcher’s

  • Meaning: Have a look.
  • Origin: Cockney rhyming slang: “butcher’s hook” = “look”.
  • Usage: “Have a butcher’s at this photo, mate.”

Hard cheese

  • Meaning: Tough luck; bad fortune.
  • Origin: The exact origin is uncertain, but cheese has been used in various slang contexts in British English.
  • Usage: “You missed the bus? Hard cheese, mate.”

Hiya

  • Meaning: Informal greeting, short for “hi there” or “hello”.
  • Origin: Contraction of “hi there” or “how are you”.
  • Usage: “Hiya! Haven’t seen you in ages.”

Hols

  • Meaning: Holidays.
  • Origin: Simply a shortening of the word “holidays”.
  • Usage: “Where are you going for your hols this year?”

Honking

  • Meaning: Vomiting.
  • Origin: Onomatopoeic, from the noise made.
  • Usage: “Drank way too much last night and ended up honking.”

How’s your father

  • Meaning: Euphemism for sex or sexual activity.
  • Origin: Early 20th century; its origin is uncertain but thought to be from music hall songs that used the phrase as a euphemism.
  • Usage: “A little bit of ‘how’s your father’ after dinner.”

Hooter

  • Meaning: Nose.
  • Origin: Early 19th century, originally denoting an owl, later (early 20th century) a horn, hence a nose.
  • Usage: “He’s got a huge hooter, hasn’t he?”

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I

Innit

  • Meaning: Isn’t it? Often used rhetorically to punctuate or affirm a statement.
  • Origin: Contraction of “isn’t it”.
  • Usage: “It’s really cold today, innit?”

I’m easy

  • Meaning: I don’t mind; I have no strong preference.
  • Origin: Casual expression indicating the person’s ease with any decision.
  • Usage: “Which restaurant do you want to go to?” “I’m easy.”

It’s monkeys outside

  • Meaning: It’s very cold outside.
  • Origin: Likely an abbreviation of the longer phrase “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey”.
  • Usage: “Make sure you wear a coat; it’s monkeys outside.”

Ivories

  • Meaning: Teeth.
  • Origin: Refers to the ivory-like appearance of teeth.
  • Usage: “He’s got a set of ivories on him!”

In bits

  • Meaning: Upset or in a bad emotional state.
  • Origin: Referring to someone being broken down emotionally.
  • Usage: “After they broke up, she was in bits.”

In the buff

  • Meaning: Naked.
  • Origin: The word “buff” historically referred to a soft, undyed leather, similar in color to Caucasian skin.
  • Usage: “He was caught running around in the buff!”

Itchy feet

  • Meaning: A desire to travel or move on.
  • Origin: Possibly from the restless sensation one feels when wanting to move or travel.
  • Usage: “I think I’ve got itchy feet; I want to see the world.”

I’ll give you a bell

  • Meaning: I will call you (on the phone).
  • Origin: ‘Bell’ referring to the ringing of the phone.
  • Usage: “Don’t worry, I’ll give you a bell later.”

Iffy

  • Meaning: Uncertain or doubtful.
  • Origin: A colloquial term that probably evolved from the word “if”.
  • Usage: “The weather looks a bit iffy; we might need an umbrella.”

Int’

  • Meaning: Short for “isn’t” or “aren’t”.
  • Origin: Dialectical contraction often associated with Northern England.
  • Usage: “Int’ that John’s car?”

In a pickle

  • Meaning: In a difficult situation.
  • Origin: The term “pickle” comes from the Dutch word “pekel”, meaning “something piquant”, and originally referred to a spiced, salted vinegar that was used as a preservative.
  • Usage: “I forgot my wallet at home; I’m in a real pickle now.”

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J

Jammy

  • Meaning: Lucky.
  • Origin: Uncertain, but might be related to the idea of getting something sweet or good without much effort (like getting jam from a jar).
  • Usage: “He won the lottery? What a jammy bloke!”

Jog on

  • Meaning: Go away or get lost.
  • Origin: Literally referring to someone starting to jog or move away.
  • Usage: “If you think I’m going to lend you money again, you can jog on!”

Jolly

  • Meaning: Very or extremely; also used to describe something pleasant or enjoyable.
  • Origin: From the Old French “jolif”, meaning “merry” or “festive”.
  • Usage: “We had a jolly good time at the seaside.”

Jumper

  • Meaning: A sweater or pullover.
  • Origin: Possibly from the action of “jumping” or “bouncing”, relating to the movement made when putting on the garment.
  • Usage: “It’s getting chilly outside; better put on a jumper.”

Jack-up

  • Meaning: To inject oneself with drugs.
  • Origin: The term “jack” has been used as slang for a small amount of something, especially in relation to drugs.
  • Usage: “He’s been jacking-up again, hasn’t he?”

Jacksie

  • Meaning: Buttocks or rear end.
  • Origin: Cockney rhyming slang, though the exact origin is unclear.
  • Usage: “He fell right on his jacksie!”

Jar

  • Meaning: A drink, typically referring to a pint of beer.
  • Origin: A jar traditionally being a container for liquids.
  • Usage: “Let’s head to the pub for a couple of jars.”

John Thomas

  • Meaning: A euphemistic term for the male genitalia.
  • Origin: Popularized by the novel “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” by D.H. Lawrence.
  • Usage: Not often used in daily conversation due to its explicit meaning.

Jubbly

  • Meaning: Good or excellent; also, a type of frozen drink.
  • Origin: “Jubbly” was a brand name for a triangular-shaped frozen drink. Over time, it became a slang term for something cool or excellent.
  • Usage: “It’s a hot day; fancy a jubbly?” or “That film was jubbly!”

Janner

  • Meaning: A person from Plymouth, Devon.
  • Origin: Uncertain, but it may derive from the phrase “cousin Jan” (akin to “John Doe”) which was used in Cornwall and Devon.
  • Usage: “He’s a true Janner, born and raised in Plymouth.”

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K

Knees up

  • Meaning: A lively party or dance.
  • Origin: Likely comes from the literal act of raising one’s knees while dancing.
  • Usage: “We’re having a knees up for Sharon’s birthday on Friday.”

Knackered

  • Meaning: Very tired or exhausted.
  • Origin: Originally referred to a tired old horse that might be taken away by the “knacker” to be turned into glue or other products.
  • Usage: “I’m totally knackered after that workout.”

Kip

  • Meaning: A short sleep or nap.
  • Origin: Possibly from the Danish word “kipp” which means a short sleep.
  • Usage: “I’m going to have a quick kip before we go out tonight.”

Kit

  • Meaning: Set of personal equipment or belongings; also refers to clothing, especially a uniform.
  • Origin: From the Middle Dutch word “kitte” meaning a container for liquids.
  • Usage: “Have you got your football kit ready for the match?”

Knob

  • Meaning: An idiot or unpleasant person; also a euphemism for the male genitalia.
  • Origin: Old English “cnob”, meaning a round handle.
  • Usage: “Don’t be such a knob.” (Depending on the context, be cautious with its usage.)

Knickers

  • Meaning: Women’s underwear.
  • Origin: Shortened from “knickerbockers”, which were a type of men’s clothing worn in the 19th century.
  • Usage: “I can’t find my favourite pair of knickers.”

Know your onions

  • Meaning: To be very knowledgeable or skilled in a particular area.
  • Origin: 1920s, but the exact origin is uncertain.
  • Usage: “If you need advice about cars, speak to Gary. He really knows his onions.”

Korma

  • Meaning: Referring to a situation being mild or easy, similar to how a korma is a mild curry.
  • Origin: From the dish “korma” which is a mild curry.
  • Usage: “That exam was korma.”

Kecks

  • Meaning: Trousers or pants.
  • Origin: Possibly a variant of “kex”, a Northern English term for dried stems of certain plants, which then became used to refer to legs and, by extension, trousers.
  • Usage: “Those are some nice kecks you’ve got on.”

Kettle

  • Meaning: A term used to describe the action of police containing a crowd in a restricted area, especially during protests.
  • Origin: Short for “kettling”, a tactic used by the police.
  • Usage: “The protesters were kettled for hours.”

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L

Lad

  • Meaning: A young man, often one who behaves in a boisterous manner. Also associated with “lad culture.”
  • Origin: Old English “lædel”, meaning leading or conducting, later associated with young men.
  • Usage: “He’s one of the lads.”

Lairy

  • Meaning: Flashy, showy, or aggressive.
  • Origin: Possibly from “leery”, which means wary or cautious, but took on a different tone in UK slang.
  • Usage: “That shirt’s a bit lairy, isn’t it?”

Ledge

  • Meaning: Short for “legend”. Someone who is very admirable or entertaining.
  • Origin: Abbreviation of the word “legend”.
  • Usage: “You bought me coffee? You’re a ledge.”

Leg it

  • Meaning: To run quickly.
  • Origin: Reference to using one’s legs to escape rapidly.
  • Usage: “The bus is coming! Leg it!”

Lurgy

  • Meaning: A fictitious, often humorous disease; used to refer to feeling slightly ill.
  • Origin: Popularized by the 1950s British radio comedy “The Goon Show.”
  • Usage: “I can’t come out tonight, I’ve got the lurgy.”

Loo

  • Meaning: Toilet.
  • Origin: Possibly from “guardez l’eau” (watch out for the water) in French, which was shouted in medieval times before throwing waste water from a window.
  • Usage: “I need to use the loo.”

Lost the plot

  • Meaning: Gone crazy or behaving irrationally.
  • Origin: A reference to a story or narrative going off course.
  • Usage: “He’s completely lost the plot since she left him.”

Lush

  • Meaning: Very good, attractive, or appealing.
  • Origin: Might be related to the old English word “luscious”.
  • Usage: “This cake is absolutely lush!”

Ladette

  • Meaning: A young woman who behaves in a boisterously assertive manner.
  • Origin: Female version of “lad” combined with the “-ette” suffix.
  • Usage: “She’s not just one of the lads, she’s a ladette.”

Lark

  • Meaning: Something done for fun, even if slightly mischievous.
  • Origin: Possibly from the playful nature of larks, the bird.
  • Usage: “It was just a lark, we didn’t mean any harm.”

Lairy

  • Meaning: Aggressive or confrontational.
  • Origin: Potentially a variation of “leery”.
  • Usage: “He got a bit lairy after a few drinks.”

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M

Maccy D’s

  • Meaning: Slang term for McDonald’s.
  • Origin: A colloquial abbreviation.
  • Usage: “Fancy a burger from Maccy D’s?”

Mad for it

  • Meaning: Very enthusiastic or eager.
  • Origin: A phrase popularized by the Manchester music scene in the 1990s.
  • Usage: “He’s mad for it every time there’s a new game out.”

Mate

  • Meaning: Friend.
  • Origin: From the old French “mat”, meaning equal or peer.
  • Usage: “Alright, mate?”

Miffed

  • Meaning: Annoyed or offended.
  • Origin: Possibly from “miff”, an old term for a trivial quarrel.
  • Usage: “She was really miffed when you forgot her birthday.”

Mint

  • Meaning: Excellent or very good.
  • Origin: Mint condition – refers to something being in perfect state.
  • Usage: “That concert was mint!”

Mizzle

  • Meaning: Light rain or drizzle.
  • Origin: A combination of “mist” and “drizzle”.
  • Usage: “Looks like it’s starting to mizzle outside.”

Moggy

  • Meaning: A cat.
  • Origin: Possibly from “Maggy”, once a common name for a cow, later used as a name for a cat.
  • Usage: “That’s a cute moggy you’ve got there.”

Mucker

  • Meaning: Friend or mate.
  • Origin: From the word “muck” (dirt), referencing going through thick and thin together.
  • Usage: “Hey mucker, long time no see!”

Mug

  • Meaning: A gullible person; or to attack someone.
  • Origin: Possibly from “muggins” meaning a fool, or from “mug” as a face (making a stupid face).
  • Usage: “Don’t be such a mug.” or “He got mugged on his way home.”

Mullered

  • Meaning: Drunk or beaten up.
  • Origin: Uncertain, though some speculate a relation to “miller” and the grinding down or crushing of grain.
  • Usage: “Got absolutely mullered last night.”

Mum’s the word

  • Meaning: Keep this a secret; don’t tell anyone.
  • Origin: Possibly from Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part 2: “Seal up your lips and give no words but mum.”
  • Usage: “I’ll tell you, but mum’s the word, okay?”

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N

Naff

  • Meaning: Unfashionable, lacking in style, or low quality.
  • Origin: The origins of “naff” are unclear, but it became popular in the 1970s.
  • Usage: “That shirt looks a bit naff, doesn’t it?”

Nark

  • Meaning: An informer, especially a police informer; or to annoy someone.
  • Origin: Originally a Romany word for “nose”, it evolved into a term for someone who “noses around”.
  • Usage: “Don’t be a nark!” or “That really narked me off.”

Nick

  • Meaning: To steal; or a state of disrepair; or a police station.
  • Origin: Possibly derived from Old English “hnecan” meaning to slay or take someone’s life.
  • Usage: “Someone nicked my bike.” or “My phone’s in the nick.” or “He’s down at the nick.”

Nifty

  • Meaning: Stylish or particularly good.
  • Origin: From the 1860s, meaning neat and tidy.
  • Usage: “That’s a nifty jacket you’ve got there.”

Nosh

  • Meaning: Food; or to eat.
  • Origin: Borrowed from Yiddish “nashn”, meaning to nibble.
  • Usage: “I’m starving, let’s get some nosh.” or “I’m going to nosh down on this pizza.”

Nowt

  • Meaning: Nothing.
  • Origin: From Old English “nāwiht”, meaning “no thing”.
  • Usage: “There’s nowt left in the fridge.”

Numpty

  • Meaning: A silly or foolish person.
  • Origin: Possibly derived from “numps”, an older term for a blockhead or numbskull.
  • Usage: “Don’t be such a numpty.”

Nut

  • Meaning: Head; or to headbutt.
  • Origin: “Nut” is an old term for the head, dating back to at least the 16th century.
  • Usage: “He’s off his nut.” or “He nutted him during the argument.”

Nutter

  • Meaning: A crazy or mad person.
  • Origin: Derived from “nut”, slang for the head or mind.
  • Usage: “He’s a complete nutter!”

Nippy

  • Meaning: Cold or chilly; or quick/fast.
  • Origin: Possibly from the quick movement of nipples when cold, or simply from the idea of quick movement.
  • Usage: “It’s a bit nippy outside.” or “That car’s quite nippy.”

No bother

  • Meaning: No problem or it’s okay.
  • Origin: Derived from the standard English usage of “bother” meaning trouble or difficulty.
  • Usage: “Can you help me with this? – No bother!”

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O

Odds

  • Meaning: Small, miscellaneous items or tasks.
  • Origin: From “odd”, meaning strange or different.
  • Usage: “I’ve got a few odds and ends to sort out today.”

On the pull

  • Meaning: Trying to find someone to hook up with or date.
  • Origin: Probably derived from the idea of “pulling” someone in or attracting them.
  • Usage: “He’s going out tonight, and he’s definitely on the pull.”

On your bike

  • Meaning: A way to tell someone to go away.
  • Origin: Likely a more polite way to tell someone to leave, suggesting they get on their bike and ride off.
  • Usage: “You don’t like it? Well, on your bike then!”

Orate

  • Meaning: Are you okay?
  • Origin: Likely a contraction of “are you alright?”
  • Usage: “Orate, mate?”

Out of sorts

  • Meaning: Feeling a bit unwell or in a bad mood.
  • Origin: This phrase originally referred to printing type that had been used so often it was worn out or damaged.
  • Usage: “He seems a bit out of sorts today.”

Over the moon

  • Meaning: Extremely pleased or happy.
  • Origin: The phrase comes from a time when the moon was used as a measure of distance.
  • Usage: “She was over the moon with her exam results.”

Owt

  • Meaning: Anything.
  • Origin: From Old English “āwiht”, meaning “aught” or anything.
  • Usage: “You want owt from the shop?”

Oxter

  • Meaning: Armpit.
  • Origin: From Middle English “oxter”, of North Germanic origin.
  • Usage: “I’ve got a pain in my oxter.”

Off one’s rocker

  • Meaning: Mad or crazy.
  • Origin: Referring to the idea that a person’s rocker, or balancing mechanism, is not working.
  • Usage: “He must be off his rocker to think that!”

Offie

  • Meaning: Off-license; a store that sells alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises.
  • Origin: Shortened form of “off-license”.
  • Usage: “I’m going to the offie to grab some beers.”

Oik

  • Meaning: A rude or obnoxious person.
  • Origin: Probably derived from the Greek “oikos” for house – an oik was originally a student from a non-prestigious school or non-Oxbridge University.
  • Usage: “Don’t be such an oik!”

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P

Pants

  • Meaning: Rubbish or of poor quality.
  • Origin: Likely a shortened form of “underpants”, implying something is as undesirable as used underwear.
  • Usage: “That film was absolute pants!”

Parky

  • Meaning: Cold weather.
  • Origin: Derived from the feeling one might have in a cold park.
  • Usage: “It’s a bit parky outside.”

Pear-shaped

  • Meaning: When something goes wrong or awry.
  • Origin: Its exact origin is unclear, but it may be related to distorted, misshapen fruit or possibly from aeronautical slang.
  • Usage: “The meeting went a bit pear-shaped.”

Peckish

  • Meaning: A little bit hungry.
  • Origin: From the word “peck”, like a bird pecking at food.
  • Usage: “I’m feeling a tad peckish. Shall we grab a bite?”

Peg it

  • Meaning: To run away quickly.
  • Origin: Possibly related to the motion of pegs in machinery, or from the idea of pegging (throwing) oneself forward.
  • Usage: “When he saw the police, he pegged it.”

Penny-dropping moment

  • Meaning: The moment of realization.
  • Origin: From the old action of penny-in-the-slot machines, where the penny drops before the action starts.
  • Usage: “I had a penny-dropping moment about how the system worked.”

Perishing

  • Meaning: Very cold.
  • Origin: Hyperbolic use of the verb “perish”.
  • Usage: “It’s perishing outside!”

Pillock

  • Meaning: A foolish or annoying person.
  • Origin: Originally a slang term for the male genitals, but now used more widely as a derogatory term.
  • Usage: “Don’t be such a pillock.”

Plastered

  • Meaning: Drunk.
  • Origin: Possibly derived from the idea of being ‘laid out’ like a wall waiting to be plastered.
  • Usage: “He got absolutely plastered last night.”

Porkies

  • Meaning: Lies.
  • Origin: Rhyming slang. “Porky pies” rhymes with lies.
  • Usage: “Are you telling porkies?”

Posh

  • Meaning: Elegant, stylish, or upper class.
  • Origin: Disputed. Some believe it’s an acronym for “Port Out, Starboard Home”, the most desired ticket on ships traveling from England to India, while others argue it’s from Romany “posh-houri”, meaning “half-pence”.
  • Usage: “She lives in a posh part of town.”

Pukka

  • Meaning: Genuine or very good.
  • Origin: From the Hindi word “pakka”, meaning “cooked, ripe”.
  • Usage: “That’s a pukka job you’ve done there.”

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Q

Quid

  • Meaning: Slang term for the British pound.
  • Origin: Originated from the Latin “quid pro quo”, which means “something for something”.
  • Usage: “He owes me twenty quid.”

Quids in

  • Meaning: To be in a position where you are profiting or benefiting.
  • Origin: Derived from the use of “quid” meaning pound, implying a monetary gain.
  • Usage: “If this deal goes through, we’ll be quids in.”

Quiff

  • Meaning: A type of hairstyle where the front hair is styled to stand up and curve back towards the back of the head.
  • Origin: The exact origin is uncertain, but it’s been a popular style in various eras.
  • Usage: “He’s got a massive quiff today.”

Quim

  • Meaning: A derogatory slang term for female genitalia.
  • Origin: Dates back to the 18th century, but its exact origins are unclear.
  • Usage: Not commonly used in modern conversation due to its offensive nature.

Quisling

  • Meaning: A traitor, especially someone who collaborates with an enemy occupation.
  • Origin: Named after Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian leader who collaborated with the Nazis during WWII.
  • Usage: “He’s nothing but a quisling, siding with them.”

Quite

  • Meaning: In British English, it can mean “to a moderate degree” or “very”, depending on context.
  • Origin: From the Latin “quietus” meaning “quiet” or “calm”, its meaning has evolved over time.
  • Usage: “It’s quite cold out.” or “She’s quite the expert.”

Quavers

  • Meaning: A brand of light, curly potato snack. Can also refer to a musical note.
  • Origin: The snack’s name might have been inspired by its lightness, much like the musical note’s short duration.
  • Usage: “Fancy a pack of quavers?”

Quick-sticks

  • Meaning: Quickly or in a hurry.
  • Origin: The exact origin is uncertain but may be related to the idea of moving quickly, as with “sticks” or legs.
  • Usage: “Get here quick-sticks!”

Quockerwodger

  • Meaning: A wooden puppet controlled by strings. Can also refer to a politician whose actions are controlled by someone else.
  • Origin: A combination of “quock”, an old word for wood, and “wodger”, meaning thing or creature.
  • Usage: “He’s nothing but a quockerwodger, doing whatever they tell him.”

Quids for quacks

  • Meaning: Money for nothing or very little effort.
  • Origin: An alteration of “quids in”, with “quacks” possibly being a nonsensical addition for rhyme.
  • Usage: “If we can automate it, it’s quids for quacks.”

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R

Rubbish

  • Meaning: Trash, garbage. Can also be used to describe something that’s not very good.
  • Origin: Derived from Middle English “rubbous” meaning debris.
  • Usage: “Take out the rubbish.” or “That film was rubbish.”

Rat-arsed

  • Meaning: Very drunk.
  • Origin: Origin unclear, but it’s a colorful way to describe someone who is beyond tipsy.
  • Usage: “He got completely rat-arsed last night.”

Row

  • Meaning: An argument or a noisy disturbance.
  • Origin: Comes from the Old English “rāw” which means “row or line”, potentially from the noise made in a line of disputing people.
  • Usage: “They had a right old row.”

Reddies

  • Meaning: Money, specifically cash.
  • Origin: Referring to the reddish color of British banknotes.
  • Usage: “Do you have any reddies on you?”

Rosie Lee

  • Meaning: Tea.
  • Origin: Cockney rhyming slang. Rosie Lee rhymes with tea.
  • Usage: “Fancy a cup of Rosie Lee?”

Ring

  • Meaning: To call someone on the phone.
  • Origin: Refers to the ringing sound phones used to make.
  • Usage: “I’ll ring you later.”

Rip-off

  • Meaning: Something that’s overpriced or a fraud.
  • Origin: Originated in the 1960s in the context of theft.
  • Usage: “That bag is a total rip-off.”

Readies

  • Meaning: Cash or money that’s ready to be spent.
  • Origin: Refers to the readiness of the cash to be used.
  • Usage: “I’ve got my readies, let’s go shopping.”

Ructions

  • Meaning: A disturbance or quarrel.
  • Origin: Possibly from the word “eruption” indicating a sudden outburst.
  • Usage: “There were ructions when he arrived.”

Rumpy pumpy

  • Meaning: A euphemism for sexual activity.
  • Origin: Thought to have originated in the 1970s, playful and non-specific term.
  • Usage: “They sneaked off for a bit of rumpy pumpy.”

Round

  • Meaning: A series of drinks bought for a group at a bar.
  • Origin: Refers to the idea of everyone having a turn to buy a “round” of drinks.
  • Usage: “It’s your turn to buy the next round.”

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S

Skive

  • Meaning: To avoid work or duty; to shirk.
  • Origin: Originated from the French word “esquiver”, meaning “to dodge”.
  • Usage: “He’s trying to skive off work again.”

Slag

  • Meaning: A derogatory term often used to describe a woman who is considered promiscuous. Can also mean to criticize or insult someone.
  • Origin: Derived from the old Norse word “slagg”, which refers to metal impurities.
  • Usage: “Don’t slag her off just because you disagree.”

Sod’s law

  • Meaning: A pseudolaw reflecting the principle that things will go wrong at the worst possible moment.
  • Origin: “Sod” is derived from “sodomite”, and the law refers to the idea that “if something can go wrong, it will”.
  • Usage: “Of course it rained as soon as the BBQ started. Sod’s law, isn’t it?”

Starkers

  • Meaning: Completely naked.
  • Origin: Possibly derived from “stark naked”, with “stark” meaning completely or absolutely.
  • Usage: “He ran through the field starkers!”

Snog

  • Meaning: A long, passionate kiss.
  • Origin: Possibly from the Old Norse “snogga”, meaning “to snuggle”.
  • Usage: “They had a good snog at the end of the date.”

Scran

  • Meaning: Food.
  • Origin: Originated from the British naval slang.
  • Usage: “I’m starving, let’s get some scran.”

Skint

  • Meaning: Having no money; broke.
  • Origin: Potentially derived from “skinned”, implying nothing left.
  • Usage: “I can’t go out tonight, I’m skint.”

Spend a penny

  • Meaning: A euphemism for going to the toilet.
  • Origin: Refers to the old practice of having to pay a penny to use a public restroom.
  • Usage: “Excuse me, I need to spend a penny.”

Slap-up

  • Meaning: A large and luxurious meal.
  • Origin: Thought to derive from the idea of food being slapped onto a plate.
  • Usage: “We had a slap-up meal at that new restaurant.”

Sorted

  • Meaning: Organized, arranged, or resolved.
  • Origin: From the traditional definition of “sort”, to arrange or set in some kind of order.
  • Usage: “Got my weekend plans all sorted.”

Smarmy

  • Meaning: Ingratiating and wheedling in a way that is perceived as insincere or excessive.
  • Origin: Unknown, but has been in use since the late 19th century.
  • Usage: “He’s such a smarmy salesman.”

Shirty

  • Meaning: Irritable or short-tempered.
  • Origin: Possibly from the idea of someone’s collar getting tight when they’re angry.
  • Usage: “Don’t get shirty with me!”

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T

Tosser

  • Meaning: A derogatory slang term for a person considered to be foolish or contemptible.
  • Origin: Derives from “toss off”, a slang term for male masturbation, but its usage has broadened to be a general insult.
  • Usage: “Don’t listen to him; he’s a complete tosser.”

Telly

  • Meaning: Television.
  • Origin: Simply a shortened form of the word “television”.
  • Usage: “What’s on the telly tonight?”

Twit

  • Meaning: A silly or foolish person.
  • Origin: Unknown, but has been in use since the early 20th century.
  • Usage: “You can be such a twit sometimes.”

Todger

  • Meaning: A colloquial term for the male genitalia.
  • Origin: Unknown.
  • Usage: “He got hit right in the todger with that football.”

Take the piss

  • Meaning: To mock, ridicule, or take advantage of someone.
  • Origin: Possibly related to old slang meaning being “annoyed” or “disgruntled”.
  • Usage: “Are you taking the piss out of me?”

Tickety-boo

  • Meaning: Fine, okay, or in satisfactory condition.
  • Origin: Likely from the Hindu “ṭhīk hai, bābū”, which means “It’s alright, sir”.
  • Usage: “Everything’s tickety-boo on my end.”

Tart

  • Meaning: Refers to a woman who dresses in a provocative manner. Also refers to a loved one or sweetheart, similar to “dear” or “darling”.
  • Origin: Shortened from “sweetheart”.
  • Usage: “Hello, tart. How was your day?”

Tosh

  • Meaning: Nonsense or rubbish.
  • Origin: Possibly from Romani “tajo”, meaning “thing”.
  • Usage: “That’s complete tosh!”

Two Bob

  • Meaning: Two shillings in pre-decimal currency. Used in phrases to indicate something is cheap or of low quality.
  • Origin: Refers to the British pre-decimal currency system.
  • Usage: “It looks a bit two bob, doesn’t it?”

Throw a wobbly

  • Meaning: To get very angry or to throw a tantrum.
  • Origin: Possibly from the visual of something wobbling out of control.
  • Usage: “She threw a wobbly when she found out.”

Tuppence

  • Meaning: A small amount of money. Historically, it referred to two pennies.
  • Origin: From the old British coinage system.
  • Usage: “I wouldn’t pay tuppence for that.”

Top up

  • Meaning: To refill a drink or increase the amount of credit on a mobile phone or card.
  • Origin: Literal meaning of adding to the top of something.
  • Usage: “Could you top up my wine, please?”

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U

Up the duff

  • Meaning: Pregnant.
  • Origin: The exact origin is uncertain, but it’s been in use since at least the early 20th century.
  • Usage: “Did you hear? She’s up the duff.”

Uptight

  • Meaning: Anxious or angry in a tense and overly controlled way.
  • Origin: Thought to originate in the late 1930s from “up-tight”, meaning in a state of tension or high alert.
  • Usage: “Don’t get so uptight about it.”

Use your loaf

  • Meaning: Use your head or think about it.
  • Origin: Cockney rhyming slang – “loaf of bread” = “head”.
  • Usage: “Come on, use your loaf!”

Uni

  • Meaning: Short for “university”.
  • Origin: Simply an abbreviation.
  • Usage: “He’s off to uni next month.”

Uppers

  • Meaning: Stimulant drugs, especially amphetamines.
  • Origin: Refers to the stimulating, “upper” effect of the drugs.
  • Usage: “He’s been taking uppers all night.”

Under the weather

  • Meaning: Feeling ill or out of sorts.
  • Origin: Possibly nautical in origin, referring to sailors who went below deck due to illness, thus being under the weather.
  • Usage: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.”

Up for it

  • Meaning: Eager or willing to try something out or participate.
  • Origin: Simply a direct meaning of the words, indicating one’s readiness or willingness.
  • Usage: “Are you up for a game of footy?”

Up sticks

  • Meaning: To move from one’s current place of residence.
  • Origin: Possibly from the idea of picking up one’s belongings (like a tent or campsite) to move.
  • Usage: “They’ve upped sticks and moved to the coast.”

Up one’s street

  • Meaning: Suited to one’s tastes or abilities.
  • Origin: Likely derived from the idea of something being in one’s neighborhood or area of expertise.
  • Usage: “Cooking? That’s right up her street.”

Uckers

  • Meaning: A board game played in the Royal Navy, similar to Ludo.
  • Origin: Shortened form of “Uckers Bucker”, a variation of the name “Ludo”.
  • Usage: “Fancy a game of uckers?”

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V

Vexed

  • Meaning: Annoyed, frustrated, or worried.
  • Origin: From Old French vexer, or Latin vexare meaning ‘to shake, jolt, or annoy’.
  • Usage: “I was really vexed when he didn’t show up on time.”

Vardo

  • Meaning: A traditional Romany wagon or caravan.
  • Origin: From the Romani word for wagon.
  • Usage: “They traveled around the country in a colorful vardo.”

Veg out

  • Meaning: Relax to the point of complete inertia.
  • Origin: Derived from the word “vegetable”, implying the inactive state of vegetables.
  • Usage: “After a long day at work, I just want to veg out in front of the TV.”

Veryish

  • Meaning: Somewhat or nearly.
  • Origin: Derived from the word “very” with the “-ish” suffix.
  • Usage: “The color is veryish like the one I wanted.”

Vim

  • Meaning: Energy or enthusiasm.
  • Origin: Possibly from Latin “vim”, the accusative case of “vis” meaning “force” or “power”.
  • Usage: “She tackled the project with vim and vigor.”

Vino

  • Meaning: Wine.
  • Origin: Shortened form of the Spanish/Italian word “vino”, meaning wine.
  • Usage: “Let’s crack open a bottle of vino.”

Vex money

  • Meaning: Emergency money carried by a woman in case a date goes poorly.
  • Origin: From the term “vex”, meaning to be annoyed. The idea is having money in case one is annoyed or inconvenienced.
  • Usage: “Always have some vex money with you just in case.”

Vapours, the

  • Meaning: A dated reference to a swooning fit or a state of nervousness or anxiety.
  • Origin: Historically, believed to be related to fumes from the womb affecting the brain, a once-popular medical theory.
  • Usage: “She got the vapours when she saw the price tag.”

Veg

  • Meaning: Short for “vegetable” or “vegetarian”.
  • Origin: Simply an abbreviation.
  • Usage: “Are there any veg options on the menu?”

Village bike

  • Meaning: A derogatory term referring to a woman who is considered promiscuous.
  • Origin: The implication being that everyone in the village has “had a ride”.
  • Usage: (This term is derogatory and should be avoided)

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W

Waffle

  • Meaning: To speak or write at length in a vague or trivial manner.
  • Origin: Possibly related to the weaving pattern of a waffle, going back and forth without clear direction.
  • Usage: “He tends to waffle on without making a clear point.”

Wag

  • Meaning: A humorous or mischievous person; also refers to truanting from school.
  • Origin: Shortened form of “waghalter”, a 16th-century term for a mischievous boy.
  • Usage: “He’s such a wag, always up to some prank.”

Welly

  • Meaning: Effort or force. Also refers to wellington boots.
  • Origin: “Welly” for force might come from ‘give it some welly’, meaning to put effort into something; the boot is from the Duke of Wellington.
  • Usage: “Put some welly into it!” or “It’s raining; best wear your wellies.”

Whinge

  • Meaning: To complain persistently and in a peevish or irritating way.
  • Origin: From Old English “hwinsian” meaning ‘to whine’.
  • Usage: “He does nothing but whinge about the weather.”

Wind up

  • Meaning: To tease or to irritate someone intentionally; or to conclude something.
  • Origin: Possibly from the winding motion, as in winding a clock, leading to the idea of ‘setting someone off’.
  • Usage: “Are you winding me up?” or “Let’s wind up this meeting.”

Wonky

  • Meaning: Not straight; shaky or unsteady; not reliable.
  • Origin: Unknown, first known use in the 1910s.
  • Usage: “That shelf looks a bit wonky.”

Wotcha

  • Meaning: A greeting, short for “what cheer” or “what do you say”.
  • Origin: Derived from “what chere be with you?” which is Middle English.
  • Usage: “Wotcha mate, how’s it going?”

Wanker

  • Meaning: A derogatory term used to describe someone acting in an undesirable manner.
  • Origin: British slang, referring to masturbation.
  • Usage: “Don’t be such a wanker.”

Wardrobe malfunction

  • Meaning: An unintended exposure of bodily parts.
  • Origin: Popularized after the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show incident involving Janet Jackson.
  • Usage: “She had a minor wardrobe malfunction during the event, but handled it gracefully.”

Whack

  • Meaning: Out of order; not right. Also can mean to hit something.
  • Origin: Old English “whacian”, meaning ‘to strike’.
  • Usage: “That’s totally whack.” or “I might whack the TV to get it working.”

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X

X-rated

  • Meaning: Suitable for adults only because of sexual or violent content.
  • Origin: Originally a film classification in the UK from the British Board of Film Censors (now the British Board of Film Classification). It was introduced in 1951 and was replaced by the “18” rating in 1982.
  • Usage: “That movie isn’t for kids; it’s X-rated.”

X-marks-the-spot

  • Meaning: A phrase used to indicate a precise location, especially on a map or diagram.
  • Origin: Often linked with pirate tales where X would mark the location of hidden treasure on a map.
  • Usage: “You’ll find the building right here, X-marks-the-spot.”

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Y

Yak

  • Meaning: To talk incessantly.
  • Origin: Possibly onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of constant chatter.
  • Usage: “She just yaks on and on about her holidays.”

Yank

  • Meaning: To pull with a jerk; also a colloquial term for an American.
  • Origin: For pulling – Old English “geonc”, meaning ‘to pull’; for American – Short for “Yankee”, which has origins dating to the American Revolutionary War.
  • Usage: “Yank that cord!” or “He’s a Yank, from New York.”

Yonks

  • Meaning: A very long time.
  • Origin: Possibly a corrupted version of “donkey’s years”, which also means a long time.
  • Usage: “I haven’t seen him in yonks.”

Yob

  • Meaning: A rude or uncouth person.
  • Origin: It’s “boy” spelled backward and is believed to have been used as a code by Victorian prison guards to refer to troublesome inmates.
  • Usage: “Don’t hang around with those yobs.”

Yuppie

  • Meaning: A young professional person working in a city.
  • Origin: 1980s: abbreviation of ‘young upwardly mobile professional’.
  • Usage: “The city center is full of yuppies.”

Yarn

  • Meaning: A long, often elaborate narrative of real or fictive adventures; an entertaining tale.
  • Origin: Old English “gearn”, in the sense of ‘spun thread’.
  • Usage: “He always has a good yarn to share about his travels.”

Yammer

  • Meaning: To talk persistently and loudly.
  • Origin: Middle English, from Old English “geomrian” to lament; akin to Old High German “jammern” to moan.
  • Usage: “She’d yammer on about her problems to anyone who’d listen.”

Yowser

  • Meaning: An expression of excitement or enthusiasm.
  • Origin: Perhaps a variant of German “Jawohl” or simply an expressive formation.
  • Usage: “Yowser! That’s an impressive trick.”

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Z

Zeds

  • Meaning: Sleep.
  • Origin: From the letter ‘Z’, often associated with sleeping sounds in comic strips.
  • Usage: “I need to catch some zeds before the big day tomorrow.”

Zonked

  • Meaning: Extremely tired or exhausted; sometimes used to mean intoxicated or drugged.
  • Origin: 1960s, perhaps echoing the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground.
  • Usage: “After that long hike, I’m absolutely zonked.”

Zigzag

  • Meaning: A pattern made up of small corners at variable angles.
  • Origin: Late 17th century, from French. It’s imitative, from the sound of something moving to and fro.
  • Usage: “The road goes in a zigzag up the mountain.”

Zoot Suit

  • Meaning: A man’s suit with high-waisted, wide-legged, tight-cuffed trousers and a long coat with padded shoulders.
  • Origin: 1930s and 1940s, especially in the Hispanic community in the US. From “zoot” which is possibly a reduplication of “suit”.
  • Usage: “He wore a zoot suit with a reet pleat.”

Zilch

  • Meaning: Nothing at all.
  • Origin: 1960s, perhaps from US slang “zilchus” meaning ‘worthless person’, of unknown origin.
  • Usage: “How much money do you have? Zilch.”

Zappy

  • Meaning: Lively, energetic.
  • Origin: 1960s, of unknown origin; perhaps related to zap.
  • Usage: “It was a zappy tune that got everyone on their feet.”

Zine

  • Meaning: A magazine, especially a self-published or underground publication.
  • Origin: Shortened from “magazine”.
  • Usage: “She publishes her poetry in a quarterly zine.”

Zoom

  • Meaning: Move or travel very quickly; or increase suddenly and significantly.
  • Origin: Onomatopoeic; mimicking the sound of a fast-moving object.
  • Usage: “He zoomed past me on the motorway.”

Zed Cars

  • Meaning: Police patrol cars.
  • Origin: From the 1962-1978 BBC television drama series “Z-Cars”.
  • Usage: “Call the Zed Cars to the scene.”

Zhoosh

  • Meaning: Make more exciting, lively, or attractive.
  • Origin: 1970s, possibly from Polari, the coded language used by some gay men in Britain in the mid-20th century, from Romani “žužo” ‘clean, neat’.
  • Usage: “She zhooshed up her outfit with some flashy accessories.”

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That’s it for our list of British slang! Thanks for continuing to expand your vocabulary with us.  Did we miss something? Let us know down below in the comments ⤵.

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Australian slang glossary


Welcome to our comprehensive Australian slang glossary!🦘🤠🐨

Australia’s got more than just kangaroos and beaches; it’s packed with unique slang that can baffle the best of us. Here, we’ve curated the most iconic Aussie slang terms, each with its meaning, origin and examples. Whether you’re a local or a curious traveler, this guide’s got you covered. Speak like a true blue Aussie in no time! Without further ado, here’s our list of Australian slang:

Quick navigation:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Trouble finding a certain phrase? Click control + F on your keyboard, and type in the term you’re trying to find. Still not able to find it? Let us know down in the comments below!

A

Arvo

  • Meaning: Afternoon.
  • Origin: A common feature in Australian slang is shortening words and adding an ‘o’ to the end. “Arvo” is a classic example of this.
  • Example: “I’ll see you this arvo for a coffee.”

Aussie

  • Meaning: An Australian person or relating to Australia.
  • Origin: It’s a colloquial abbreviation of the word “Australian”.
  • Example: “He’s a true blue Aussie, loves his footy and barbecues.”

Ankle biter

  • Meaning: A young child.
  • Origin: The phrase humorously refers to the height of children being low to the ground, so they’re close to your ankles.
  • Example: “Watch out for the ankle biters at the park, they’re full of energy!”

Ambo

  • Meaning: Ambulance or ambulance worker.
  • Origin: Another classic Australian abbreviation. This one takes “ambulance” and truncates it for quicker use.
  • Example: “Call an ambo! He’s hurt himself on the footy field.”

Avo

  • Meaning: Avocado.
  • Origin: Yet again, Australians have a knack for abbreviating words, and ‘avo’ fits that bill perfectly.
  • Example: “Can I get some avo on my toast?”

Akubra

  • Meaning: A brand of hat that’s very popular in Australia, especially among rural workers.
  • Origin: Named after the company that manufactures them.
  • Example: “It’s sunny out; don’t forget your Akubra.”

Apples

  • Meaning: All good or okay, often used in the phrase “she’ll be apples.”
  • Origin: Thought to be from rhyming slang, “apple and spice” meaning “everything nice.”
  • Example: “Don’t worry about the car; she’ll be apples.”

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B

Barbie

  • Meaning: Barbecue.
  • Origin: Shortening of the word “barbecue.” This abbreviation is an iconic piece of Australian slang.
  • Example: “We’re having a barbie this weekend. Wanna come?”

Bail

  • Meaning: To leave or depart.
  • Origin: Likely derived from the English term “bail out.”
  • Example: “I’m too tired, think I’m gonna bail.”

Bathers

  • Meaning: Swimsuit.
  • Origin: The term is specific to certain regions of Australia. Other regions might say “swimmers” or “togs.”
  • Example: “Don’t forget to pack your bathers for the beach.”

Bludger

  • Meaning: A lazy person; someone who avoids work.
  • Origin: Originally referred to a pimp, thus someone who lived off the efforts of others. Its meaning has since broadened.
  • Example: “He’s a bit of a bludger, always sitting around doing nothing.”

Bottle-O

  • Meaning: Liquor store.
  • Origin: An abbreviation of “bottle shop.” Another example of the Australian penchant for adding ‘O’ to the end of words.
  • Example: “I’m heading to the bottle-o to grab some beers.”

Bush

  • Meaning: Rural, undeveloped areas of Australia, or the countryside.
  • Origin: Direct reference to the vast, wild nature and forests of Australia.
  • Example: “We’re going camping in the bush this weekend.”

Bloke

  • Meaning: Man or guy.
  • Origin: Derived from English slang, this term is commonly used in Australia to refer to a man in a general sense.
  • Example: “He’s a good bloke, always willing to lend a hand.”

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C

Cark it

  • Meaning: To die or stop working.
  • Origin: The exact origin is unclear, but it’s a colloquial way to refer to something or someone dying or breaking down.
  • Example: “My old car finally carked it on the freeway yesterday.”

Chewie

  • Meaning: Chewing gum.
  • Origin: A shortening and playful take on the term “chewing gum.”
  • Example: “Got any chewie? I need to freshen up my breath.”

Chook

  • Meaning: Chicken.
  • Origin: Perhaps derived from the sound a chicken makes, “chook chook.”
  • Example: “We’re having roast chook for dinner.”

Chuck a sickie

  • Meaning: To take a day off work pretending to be sick.
  • Origin: “Chuck” in this context means to do, and “sickie” refers to a sick day.
  • Example: “I’m thinking of chucking a sickie tomorrow. Need a long weekend.”

Crikey

  • Meaning: An exclamation of surprise or disbelief.
  • Origin: Possibly a polite alternative to Christ, used as an exclamation. Made globally famous by Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter.
  • Example: “Crikey! Look at the size of that spider!”

Coppers

  • Meaning: Police.
  • Origin: Originally a British slang term, it became popular in Australia as well. The term might originate from the copper buttons that policemen once wore.
  • Example: “Slow down, there are coppers ahead!”

Chockers

  • Meaning: Very full.
  • Origin: Possibly related to being as full as a “chocka block.”
  • Example: “The pub was chockers last night.”

Chuck a sickie

  • Meaning: To take a day off work pretending to be sick.
  • Origin: “Chuck” meaning “do” and “sickie” referring to a sick day.
  • Example: “I’m thinking of chucking a sickie tomorrow.”

Cobber

  • Meaning: Friend.
  • Origin: Early 20th century, from “cob” which means “to take a liking to.”
  • Example: “G’day cobber!”

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D

Dinky-di

  • Meaning: Genuine or the real thing.
  • Origin: From the phrase “dinkum” or “fair dinkum,” meaning true or genuine.
  • Example: “He’s a dinky-di Aussie, born and bred.”

Drongo

  • Meaning: A fool or an idiot.
  • Origin: Named after a racehorse in the 1920s that never won a race.
  • Example: “Don’t be such a drongo.”

Deadset

  • Meaning: Absolute, for certain.
  • Origin: A straightforward combination of “dead” and “set,” emphasizing surety.
  • Example: “It’s deadset the best movie I’ve seen.”

Dog’s breakfast

  • Meaning: A mess or something that’s very untidy.
  • Origin: Unknown, but it’s a colorful way to describe disorder.
  • Example: “My room’s a dog’s breakfast right now.”

Durry

  • Meaning: A cigarette.
  • Origin: Shortened version of “Bull Durham” brand tobacco.
  • Example: “Got a spare durry, mate?”

Dag

  • Meaning: A funny person, a goof.
  • Origin: Originally referred to the matted wool on a sheep’s tail.
  • Example: “You’re such a dag!”

Damper

  • Meaning: A traditional Australian bread, typically baked in the ashes of a campfire.
  • Origin: From its basic ingredients and method of cooking.
  • Example: “We cooked up some damper on the campfire.”

Docket

  • Meaning: A bill, receipt or an itinerary.
  • Origin: Borrowed from British slang.
  • Example: “Can I get the docket for that purchase?”

Dunny

  • Meaning: Toilet.
  • Origin: Early 20th century, perhaps from “dunnekin” meaning privy.
  • Example: “Where’s the dunny?”

Dob

  • Meaning: To report someone, usually for something minor.
  • Origin: Possibly from “dub,” meaning to provide with or as if with a name.
  • Example: “I can’t believe you dobbed me in to the teacher.”

Dero

  • Meaning: A derelict or a homeless person.
  • Origin: Short for “derelict.”
  • Example: “He’s been living like a dero since he lost his job.”

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E

Esky

  • Meaning: A portable cooler or icebox.
  • Origin: Short for “Eskimo,” the brand name of a popular icebox.
  • Example: “Grab a cold drink from the esky.”

Earbashing

  • Meaning: Constant talk or nagging.
  • Origin: The imagery of one’s ear getting a bashing from excessive talk.
  • Example: “She gave me a good earbashing about leaving the dishes out.”

Exy

  • Meaning: Expensive.
  • Origin: Simply a shortened form of the word “expensive.”
  • Example: “Those shoes look nice, but they’re a bit exy for me.”

Ekka

  • Meaning: The Brisbane Exhibition Show, an annual show in Queensland.
  • Origin: Abbreviation of “exhibition.”
  • Example: “Are you heading to the Ekka this year?”

Eucalypt

  • Meaning: A type of tree native to Australia, commonly known as gum trees.
  • Origin: Derived from the tree’s botanical name “Eucalyptus.”
  • Example: “The landscape was dotted with eucalypts.”

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F

Fair dinkum

  • Meaning: Truthful, genuine, real.
  • Origin: The origins are debated, but it’s an affirmation of honesty or truth.
  • Example: “Are you fair dinkum about moving to Sydney?”

Footy

  • Meaning: Australian rules football or rugby, depending on the region.
  • Origin: Short for “football.”
  • Example: “Are you watching the footy match this weekend?”

Furphy

  • Meaning: A false report or a rumor.
  • Origin: Named after water carts made by the Furphy company in WWI; soldiers would exchange rumors by the carts.
  • Example: “Ignore that, it’s just a furphy.”

Full as a goog

  • Meaning: Very full or satiated, often after eating.
  • Origin: “Goog” is slang for an egg; the phrase implies being as full as a full egg.
  • Example: “I can’t eat another bite; I’m full as a goog.”

Fair go

  • Meaning: A fair chance or opportunity.
  • Origin: A quintessential Aussie value of giving everyone a fair chance.
  • Example: “All I’m asking for is a fair go.”

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G

G’day

  • Meaning: A greeting, short for “Good day.”
  • Origin: Simply a contraction of “Good day,” a common greeting.
  • Example: “G’day mate, how’s it going?”

Galah

  • Meaning: A term for a foolish or silly person; also a type of Australian bird.
  • Origin: Named after the galah bird which can make loud and sometimes amusing sounds, reflecting the silly nature of someone being called a “galah.”
  • Example: “Don’t be such a galah!”

Garbo

  • Meaning: Garbage collector.
  • Origin: Shortened form of “garbage.”
  • Example: “The garbo comes early on Wednesdays.”

Goon

  • Meaning: Cheap box wine.
  • Origin: Originally from “goon bag,” the bag inside a wine cask.
  • Example: “We bought some goon for the party tonight.”

Grog

  • Meaning: Alcohol.
  • Origin: From “grog,” a mix of rum and water, named after Admiral Edward Vernon, who was nicknamed “Old Grog.”
  • Example: “Let’s grab some grog for the party.”

Good onya

  • Meaning: Well done or good for you.
  • Origin: A contraction of “good on you.”
  • Example: “You got the job? Good onya!”

Grommet

  • Meaning: Young surfer.
  • Origin: Likely from the term for a young person or child.
  • Example: “The beach was full of grommets today.”

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H

Hard yakka

  • Meaning: Hard work.
  • Origin: “Yakka” is derived from the Aboriginal Yagara language meaning “work.”
  • Example: “Landscaping in this heat is hard yakka.”

Heaps

  • Meaning: A lot or many.
  • Origin: Traditional English meaning “large amount,” but used more colloquially in Australia.
  • Example: “Thanks heaps for helping me move.”

Hoon

  • Meaning: A reckless driver.
  • Origin: Possibly from the sound of a car horn or an alteration of “hooning” meaning “move fast.”
  • Example: “There was a hoon speeding down the main street.”

Hotel (often “Pub”)

  • Meaning: A bar or place to get alcoholic drinks.
  • Origin: Many older Australian pubs offer accommodation, hence “hotel.”
  • Example: “Let’s meet up at the hotel later.”

Hungry Jack’s (or HJs)

  • Meaning: The Australian franchise of the fast-food chain Burger King.
  • Origin: Due to trademark issues, Burger King is known as Hungry Jack’s in Australia.
  • Example: “I’m craving a Whopper from Hungry Jack’s.”

Hoo roo

  • Meaning: Goodbye.
  • Origin: Phonetic spelling of a colloquial farewell.
  • Example: “I’m off to bed. Hoo roo!”

Holden

  • Meaning: A brand of Australian car.
  • Origin: Named after Sir Edward Holden, the company’s founder.
  • Example: “He drives an old Holden Ute.”

Housos

  • Meaning: People who live in government housing; often used derogatorily.
  • Origin: Short for “housing commission.”
  • Example: “The TV show ‘Housos’ portrays a comedic take on life in the suburbs.”

Have a Captain Cook

  • Meaning: Have a look.
  • Origin: Rhyming slang, named after the famous British explorer Captain James Cook.
  • Example: “Give me a sec to have a Captain Cook at the menu.”

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I

Icy pole

  • Meaning: Popsicle or ice lolly.
  • Origin: Descriptive, as it’s an icy treat on a stick.
  • Example: “It’s so hot outside, I could go for an icy pole.”

If it’s not one thing, it’s the other

  • Meaning: Expression of exasperation or frustration.
  • Origin: Common English phrase, widely used in Australia.
  • Example: “First the fridge breaks, now the car won’t start. If it’s not one thing, it’s the other.”

Illawarra plums

  • Meaning: A dark purple fruit native to the east coast of Australia.
  • Origin: Named after the Illawarra region of New South Wales where they are found.
  • Example: “These Illawarra plums make a tasty jam.”

In a tick

  • Meaning: In a short while or very soon.
  • Origin: “Tick” referring to a short moment, like the ticking of a clock.
  • Example: “I’ll be with you in a tick.”

It’s gone walkabout

  • Meaning: It’s lost or missing.
  • Origin: Borrowed from Indigenous Australian culture where a “walkabout” is a rite of passage.
  • Example: “I can’t find my keys, they’ve gone walkabout.”

Ifs or buts

  • Meaning: Excuses.
  • Origin: An abbreviation of the phrase “no ifs, ands, or buts”.
  • Example: “No ifs or buts, just get it done.”

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J

Jackaroo

  • Meaning: A young man working on a rural station (ranch); a trainee station manager or owner.
  • Origin: Derived from “jack” (a general term for a lad or man) and a borrowed term “kuri” (meaning ‘man’ in several Indigenous Australian languages).
  • Example: “He’s starting out as a jackaroo on that big station up north.”

Jaffle

  • Meaning: A toasted sandwich.
  • Origin: Named after the jaffle iron, a closed metal skillet used to make this type of sandwich.
  • Example: “Let’s make some cheese and tomato jaffles for lunch.”

Joe Blow

  • Meaning: The average person; Mr. Nobody.
  • Origin: Origin is uncertain but has been used in English-speaking countries to refer to the ordinary man on the street.
  • Example: “He’s just your average Joe Blow, nothing special.”

Jumbuck

  • Meaning: A sheep.
  • Origin: Possibly from an Indigenous Australian word.
  • Example: “Waltzing Matilda is about a man who steals a jumbuck.”

Jacks

  • Meaning: Police.
  • Origin: Short for “Jackaroo,” meaning a policeman.
  • Example: “Watch out, the jacks are about.”

Journo

  • Meaning: Journalist.
  • Origin: Shortened form of the word “journalist.”
  • Example: “I have an interview with a journo tomorrow.”

Jumper

  • Meaning: Sweater or pullover.
  • Origin: Derived from the British term for a pullover or sweater.
  • Example: “It’s cold, don’t forget your jumper.”

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K

Kangas

  • Meaning: Kangaroos.
  • Origin: Informal shortening of the word kangaroo.
  • Example: “We spotted some kangas while driving through the outback.”

Keen as mustard

  • Meaning: Very enthusiastic.
  • Origin: A play on the idea that mustard is a strong, potent condiment.
  • Example: “She’s keen as mustard to start her new job.”

Kick the bucket

  • Meaning: To die.
  • Origin: Phrase is used in various English-speaking countries; its origins are unclear but could be related to hanging.
  • Example: “Old man Jenkins kicked the bucket.”

Kiwi

  • Meaning: A person from New Zealand.
  • Origin: Named after the kiwi bird, which is native to New Zealand.
  • Example: “She’s a Kiwi, moved to Australia a few years ago.”

Knock

  • Meaning: To criticize.
  • Origin: Common English usage, possibly from the idea of “knocking” someone down a peg.
  • Example: “Don’t knock it till you try it.”

Knackered

  • Meaning: Exhausted or worn out.
  • Origin: Possibly related to the older usage of “knacker,” a person who buys up old horses to slaughter them.
  • Example: “After that hike, I’m totally knackered.”

Kip

  • Meaning: A short sleep or nap.
  • Origin: Likely derived from the Middle Low German word “kippen” which means to seize or grasp.
  • Example: “I might have a quick kip before we go out.”

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L

Larrikin

  • Meaning: A person with apparent disregard for convention; a maverick.
  • Origin: The term originally referred to a young hoodlum or hooligan, and its precise origin is unknown, but it has been in Australian usage since the late 19th century.
  • Example: “Dave’s a bit of a larrikin but we all love him.”

Lollies

  • Meaning: Sweets or candy.
  • Origin: Derived from “lollipop” but generalized to refer to any kind of sweet.
  • Example: “Could you grab a bag of lollies from the shop?”

Liquid laugh

  • Meaning: Vomit.
  • Origin: A humorous, slightly euphemistic term.
  • Example: “He had too much to drink and ended up having a liquid laugh outside.”

Lurgy

  • Meaning: Illness, often a cold or flu.
  • Origin: Possibly from British radio comedy “The Goon Show” where “the dreaded lurgy” was a fictional disease.
  • Example: “I can’t come into work today, I’ve caught the lurgy.”

Lurk

  • Meaning: A scheme or stratagem.
  • Origin: From English meaning a clandestine or stealthy action.
  • Example: “He’s always got some lurk to make a quick buck.”

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M

Maccas

  • Meaning: McDonald’s, the fast-food chain.
  • Origin: Abbreviation and Australianization of “McDonald’s.”
  • Example: “Let’s grab a quick bite from Maccas.”

Mad as a cut snake

  • Meaning: Very angry or crazy.
  • Origin: Refers to the unpredictable movement of a snake that’s been cut or injured.
  • Example: “Stay away from him when he’s mad; he’s mad as a cut snake.”

Mozzie

  • Meaning: Mosquito.
  • Origin: Shortened form of the word “mosquito.”
  • Example: “The mozzies are bad tonight.”

Muddy

  • Meaning: Mud crab, a type of crab found in Australia’s estuaries.
  • Origin: Short for “mud crab.”
  • Example: “I caught a huge muddy yesterday.”

Mate

  • Meaning: Friend.
  • Origin: From Middle English, used in various English-speaking countries but very prevalent in Australia.
  • Example: “G’day mate, how’ve you been?”

Mate’s rates

  • Meaning: A discounted price given to friends.
  • Origin: Combination of “mate” (friend) and “rates” (price).
  • Example: “Don’t worry about the price, I’ll give you mate’s rates.”

Moolah

  • Meaning: Money.
  • Origin: Slang term of uncertain origin, possibly from Romani or Yiddish.
  • Example: “I can’t go out tonight, short on moolah.”

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N

No worries

  • Meaning: It’s okay; no problem.
  • Origin: A laid-back expression reflecting Australia’s easy-going culture.
  • Example: “I forgot to bring the drinks.” “No worries, we have some here.”

Not the full quid

  • Meaning: Not very intelligent or a bit crazy.
  • Origin: A “quid” is slang for one pound or a dollar, suggesting not being of full value.
  • Example: “I think he’s not the full quid, to be honest.”

Nut out

  • Meaning: To figure something out; work out the details.
  • Origin: Refers to the action of breaking a nut to get to its core or essence.
  • Example: “Let’s sit down and nut out the details of this project.”

Nuddy

  • Meaning: Nude or naked.
  • Origin: A playful abbreviation of “nude.”
  • Example: “He ran into the ocean in the nuddy!”

Narky

  • Meaning: Irritated or in a bad mood.
  • Origin: Possibly derived from “nark,” meaning a police informer, but used in this context to mean annoyed.
  • Example: “Why are you so narky this morning?”

Nick off

  • Meaning: To leave or go away.
  • Origin: Similar to the British slang “nick” meaning to steal, but in the Aussie context, it’s more about departing.
  • Example: “Can you nick off? I’m trying to work.”

No drama

  • Meaning: No problem or don’t worry about it.
  • Origin: Derived from the word “drama” meaning a fuss.
  • Example: “I forgot my wallet.” “No drama, I’ll cover for you.”

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O

Ocker

  • Meaning: An uncultivated Australian, often used humorously to describe someone with a heavy Australian accent.
  • Origin: Uncertain, but possibly from “ocker” as rhyming slang for “knocker,” meaning a person.
  • Example: “He’s a true-blue ocker, that one.”

Off one’s rocker

  • Meaning: Crazy or mad.
  • Origin: Refers to the idea of being off-balance, like a rocking chair that’s tilted too far.
  • Example: “She must be off her rocker to attempt that stunt.”

On the blower

  • Meaning: On the phone.
  • Origin: “Blower” is old British slang for telephone.
  • Example: “I was on the blower for ages sorting that out.”

Outback

  • Meaning: Remote, sparsely populated areas.
  • Origin: Refers to land “out the back” of major cities and towns.
  • Example: “We’re going on a trip to the Outback next week.”

Onya

  • Meaning: Short for “good on you,” a term of approval or congratulation.
  • Origin: It’s a contraction of the Australian way of saying “Good on you!”
  • Example: “You finished the marathon? Onya, mate!”

Oz

  • Meaning: Slang for Australia.
  • Origin: A shortened and playful way to say “Australia.”
  • Example: “Welcome to Oz, mate!”

Offsider

  • Meaning: Assistant or helper.
  • Origin: Originally a term for a person who stood beside a drover, now more widely used.
  • Example: “My offsider will help with the heavy lifting.”

Oldies

  • Meaning: Parents.
  • Origin: A colloquial term referring to older people, particularly one’s parents.
  • Example: “I’m spending the weekend with the oldies.”

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P

Pash

  • Meaning: A passionate kiss.
  • Origin: Shortened form of “passionate.”
  • Example: “She gave him a long pash goodbye.”

Pav

  • Meaning: Short for pavlova, a meringue-based dessert.
  • Origin: Named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, though the dessert’s exact origin (New Zealand or Australia) is debated.
  • Example: “We’re having pav for dessert.”

Piker

  • Meaning: Someone who doesn’t participate or backs out from plans.
  • Origin: Derives from the early 20th-century Australian slang “to pike out,” meaning to withdraw or back out from doing something.
  • Example: “He’s such a piker. He never comes out with us.”

Prezzy

  • Meaning: Short for “present” or “gift.”
  • Origin: A fun, colloquial shortening of the word “present.”
  • Example: “I’ve got a little prezzy for you.”

Pull your head in

  • Meaning: A way to tell someone to mind their own business or stop being nosy.
  • Origin: Possibly linked to the idea of retracting one’s head like a turtle.
  • Example: “Oi, pull your head in!”

Prawns

  • Meaning: Shrimps.
  • Origin: Australians refer to what Americans call shrimp as prawns.
  • Example: “Throw another prawn on the barbie.”

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Q

Quid

  • Meaning: Money, usually a specific amount in dollars.
  • Origin: Derived from the British use of “quid” to mean “pound sterling.”
  • Example: “How many quid did that set you back?”

Quiet one

  • Meaning: Intending to have a calm, perhaps alcohol-free evening, but it rarely turns out that way.
  • Origin: Typically used when discussing plans for an evening out.
  • Example: “Let’s have a quiet one tonight, alright?”

Quokka

  • Meaning: A small marsupial found on Rottnest Island in Western Australia.
  • Origin: Derived from a Nyungar word, an Aboriginal language.
  • Example: “Have you ever taken a selfie with a quokka?”

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R

Rapt

  • Meaning: Extremely pleased or excited.
  • Origin: Derived from the English term meaning “completely fascinated.”
  • Example: “He was rapt with his new bike.”

Ripper

  • Meaning: Fantastic or excellent.
  • Origin: A general exclamation of approval.
  • Example: “That party was a ripper!”

Roo

  • Meaning: Short for kangaroo.
  • Origin: Abbreviation of the animal’s name.
  • Example: “Watch out for the roos when you’re driving in the outback.”

Rock up

  • Meaning: To arrive or turn up somewhere.
  • Origin: Informal way to say “arrive” or “show up.”
  • Example: “She just rocked up to the party uninvited.”

Root

  • Meaning: Vulgar slang for sexual intercourse. Be careful with this one!
  • Origin: Its origin is unclear but it has been used in Australian slang for decades.
  • Example: “They were rooting in the back of the car.”

Rubbish

  • Meaning: Nonsense or something of poor quality.
  • Origin: Derived from British English where it means “waste material.”
  • Example: “What you’re saying is absolute rubbish.”

Ridgy-didge

  • Meaning: Genuine, original, or good.
  • Origin: Origin is unclear but has been a part of Australian slang since at least the 1950s.
  • Example: “This is a ridgy-didge Aussie barbie.”

Rack off

  • Meaning: Go away or get lost.
  • Origin: Unknown, but has been used as Aussie slang for years.
  • Example: “Rack off, mate! You’re not welcome here.”

Ring in

  • Meaning: A person or thing brought into a group to substitute for another.
  • Origin: Comes from the context of bringing someone “into the ring” as a replacement.
  • Example: “He was a ring in for the missing player.”

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S

Sanger

  • Meaning: A sandwich.
  • Origin: A colloquial abbreviation.
  • Example: “Can you make me a sanger for lunch?”

Schooner

  • Meaning: A large beer glass.
  • Origin: Derived from an old British measure of liquid volume.
  • Example: “I’ll have a schooner of your best ale.”

Sheila

  • Meaning: A woman.
  • Origin: Possibly derived from the Irish girls’ name Síle (pronounced Sheila). It’s been a popular slang term since at least the 1940s.
  • Example: “Did you see the sheila I was talking to?”

Snag

  • Meaning: A sausage.
  • Origin: Unknown, but it’s widely accepted Australian slang.
  • Example: “Chuck another snag on the barbie!”

Stickybeak

  • Meaning: A nosy person.
  • Origin: The term likely derives from the image of someone poking their “beak” (nose) into other people’s affairs.
  • Example: “She’s always been a bit of a stickybeak.”

Spruik

  • Meaning: To advertise or promote, especially in a showy or aggressive manner.
  • Origin: The term likely has Yiddish origins from “shpruken” meaning to speak.
  • Example: “He’s spruiking his new book everywhere.”

Spunk

  • Meaning: A good looking person; can also mean courage or determination.
  • Origin: British in origin, referring to spirit or mettle. The appearance-related meaning is more unique to Australian slang.
  • Example: “He’s a real spunk.”

Squiz

  • Meaning: A quick look or glance.
  • Origin: Unknown, but it’s an informal Aussie term.
  • Example: “Give me a squiz at what you’re reading.”

Straya

  • Meaning: A colloquial way of saying Australia.
  • Origin: A playful abbreviation, dropping the “Aus” in “Australia.”
  • Example: “Straya Day is coming up!”

Stubby

  • Meaning: A small, squat bottle of beer.
  • Origin: Refers to the shape of the bottle, which is shorter and “stubbier” than other bottles.
  • Example: “Pass me a stubby from the esky.”

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T

Tinnie

  • Meaning: A can of beer

or a small aluminum boat.

  • Origin: “Tin” is a reference to the can’s material, or the look of the aluminum boat.
  • Example: “Grab a tinnie from the cooler.” or “We took the tinnie out on the river.”

Thongs

  • Meaning: Flip-flops or a type of sandal, not to be confused with the underwear.
  • Origin: Uncertain, but the term has been used to describe this footwear in Australia for decades.
  • Example: “Just slip on your thongs and let’s go to the beach.”

True blue

  • Meaning: Genuine, authentically Australian.
  • Origin: The term “true blue” originally meant someone who was loyal to the British crown, but in Australia, it’s evolved to describe something authentically Australian.
  • Example: “She’s true blue, through and through.”

Tucker

  • Meaning: Food.
  • Origin: Possibly from the old English term “tuck,” meaning food.
  • Example: “What’s for tucker tonight?”

Two-up

  • Meaning: A traditional Australian gambling game played on Anzac Day.
  • Origin: The game was played extensively by Australian soldiers during World War I.
  • Example: “We played two-up at the pub after the dawn service.”

Togs

  • Meaning: Swimsuit or swimming costume.
  • Origin: Possibly a shortening of “toga.”
  • Example: “Put your togs on; we’re going to the beach.”

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U

Ugg boots

  • Meaning: Soft sheepskin boots, often worn casually or around the house.
  • Origin: The term “ugg” is believed to have been derived from “ugly”, referring to its chunky appearance, though the exact origins are debated.
  • Example: “It’s freezing outside; I’m just going to wear my ugg boots.”

Up yourself

  • Meaning: Being full of oneself or arrogant.
  • Origin: An informal Australian saying. The term “up” might imply an inflated sense of self.
  • Example: “Don’t be so up yourself; everyone contributed to the project’s success.”

Up the Duff

  • Meaning: Pregnant.
  • Origin: The origin is uncertain, but it’s been a part of Aussie slang since at least the 1940s.
  • Example: “Did you hear? She’s up the duff.”

Ute

  • Meaning: A pickup truck.
  • Origin: Short for “utility vehicle.”
  • Example: “He loaded up the ute with tools for the job.”

Uni

  • Meaning: University.
  • Origin: A simple abbreviation of the word “university.”
  • Example: “He’s off to uni next year to study law.”

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V

Veg out

  • Meaning: Relaxing or chilling, often doing nothing in particular.
  • Origin: Likely short for “vegetate”, implying the stillness of a vegetable.
  • Example: “I just want to veg out in front of the TV tonight.”

Vego

  • Meaning: Short for vegetarian.
  • Origin: An abbreviation of the word “vegetarian.”
  • Example: “She’s a vego, so make sure to prepare some vegetarian dishes.”

VB

  • Meaning: Victoria Bitter, a popular Australian beer.
  • Origin: Named after the state of Victoria where it originated.
  • Example: “Grab me a cold VB from the esky.”

Vegemite

  • Meaning: A thick, dark brown spread made from leftover brewers’ yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives. A staple in many Australian homes.
  • Origin: Vegemite was developed in Australia in the 1920s as an alternative to Marmite.
  • Example: “Spread some Vegemite on toast for a classic Aussie snack.”

Vinnies

  • Meaning: Refers to St Vincent de Paul’s charity shops.
  • Origin: Short for “St. Vincent’s”, these shops are common in many Australian towns.
  • Example: “I found this awesome vintage jacket at Vinnies.”

Voila

  • Meaning: Here it is or there you go.
  • Origin: Borrowed from French, but Aussies use it often in daily language.
  • Example: “I put some elbow grease into cleaning this, and voila! Looks brand new.”

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W

Whinge

  • Meaning: To complain persistently and in a peevish or irritating way.
  • Origin: While the word has Old English origins, Australians have really embraced the term to describe someone who constantly complains.
  • Example: “Quit your whinging and get on with it.”

Woop Woop

  • Meaning: Referring to a remote, far away place.
  • Origin: The term is onomatopoeic, possibly resembling the sound of a bird or the distant sound of a siren. It paints the picture of a place that’s ‘way out there’.
  • Example: “He lives out in woop woop, miles away from the nearest town.”

Wombat

  • Meaning: A native Australian marsupial or someone who is slow and lazy.
  • Origin: Derived from the native language of the Darug, the indigenous people of the Sydney area.
  • Example: “He’s as slow as a wombat today.”

Wuss

  • Meaning: A weak or timid person.
  • Origin: Perhaps a blend of “wimp” and “puss.”
  • Example: “Come on, don’t be a wuss.”

Whip Around

  • Meaning: A quick collection of money, often for a specific purpose or cause.
  • Origin: The idea is to quickly “whip” or move around a group to gather funds.
  • Example: “Let’s have a whip around to buy a gift for her birthday.”

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X

XXXX (Four X)

  • Meaning: A popular brand of beer brewed in Queensland.
  • Origin: The XXXX brand was first introduced in 1924. The exact origin of the name is debated, but one theory is that the X’s represent the quality of the beer.
  • Example: “Grab a couple of cold XXXX from the fridge.”

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Y

Yakka

  • Meaning: Hard work, especially of a physical nature.
  • Origin: Derived from ‘yaga’ which means work in the Yagara indigenous language.
  • Example: “He’s been doing hard yakka in the yard all morning.”

Yobbo

  • Meaning: An uncultured or rowdy person.
  • Origin: Originated in the 20th century, possibly a variant of “yob”, from “boy” spelled backwards.
  • Example: “Don’t act like a yobbo at the party.”

Yonks

  • Meaning: A long time.
  • Origin: The exact origin is uncertain, but it might be derived from “donkey’s years,” which is another slang term meaning a long time.
  • Example: “I haven’t seen him in yonks!”

Yabbie

  • Meaning: A freshwater Australian crayfish.
  • Origin: Derived from the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal language word “yabij.”
  • Example: “We caught a few yabbies in the creek yesterday.”

Yewy

  • Meaning: A U-turn in a vehicle. Often phrased as “chuck a yewy.”
  • Origin: It’s a playful phonetic shortening of the term “U-turn.”
  • Example: “You missed the turn! Chuck a yewy up ahead.”

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Zinc

  • Meaning: Zinc cream, a thick white sunscreen worn on the face, often associated with cricket players and lifeguards.
  • Origin: Refers to the zinc oxide used in the sunscreen, offering strong protection against UV rays.
  • Example: “Put on some zinc before you head out to field.”

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That’s it for our list of Australian slang! Thanks for continuing to expand your vocabulary with us.  Did we miss something? Let us know down below in the comments ⤵.

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