60 British phrases that will confuse anybody who didn’t grow up in the UK

Although it’s more often used as a synonym for raincoat, an anorak is something slightly different in playground slang. This word probably originates from the “uncool” appearance of anorak coats and the people wearing them.

“Thomas is such an anorak when it comes to train trivia.”

This phrase became mainstream in the USA in the 1920s despite its British origins, but its popularity in the States has dwindled since the turn of the century.

The “bee’s knees” referred to small or insignificant details when it was first documented in the 18th century. Since then, the phrase has evolved and refers to something popular or cool.

“The Beatles are the bee’s knees.”

While the phrase can be interpreted as misogynistic, it’s still commonly used. It’s usually used to describe a woman between the ages of 18 and 50, particularly one who is attractive.

“Look at that bird over there. She’s fit.”

The origins of the word are widely disputed. Some believe it’s derived from the Dutch word “blute,” meaning “bare.” Others believe the word is a contraction of the 17th-century phrase “by our lady,” and is blasphemous.

This second theory has been disproved, however, by the slang’s first documentation predating the widespread use of the phrase “by our lady.”

Nowadays, “bloody” is used widely — it’s even used in children’s films such as “Harry Potter” — and is arguably one of the most quintessentially British words on the list.

“That was bloody good.”

Its origins are somewhat unclear, but a “bog” is another word for a toilet in British slang, adding to the connotations that something “bog-standard” is unglamorous and unspecial.

“How was the hostel?” “Oh, nothing exciting to report. Just your bog-standard dorm, really.”

A “botch job” can also refer to anything that’s been done haphazardly, like a work assignment.

“Sam did a botch job on these shelves — they’re wonky!”

An informal way of asking someone to make room where they are sitting for you to sit down, too, would be asking them to “budge up.”

“Hey, there’s loads of room on that bench. Budge up and make some room for us, too!”

Therefore, if you’re “having a butchers,” you’re having a look at something.

“Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me?”

A “good old chinwag” is a good chat, catch-up, or gossip with someone.

The action of chatting away — with the jaw bobbing up and down — resembles a chin “wagging” like a dog’s tail.

“Those two are having a proper chinwag — I haven’t been able to get a word in edgeways for half an hour!”

If you get a promotion or meet someone special, you might describe yourself as “chuffed.”

“I heard you got the promotion. Congratulations! You must be chuffed.”

The term probably came about due to the fact that it rhymes with “knacker.” A “knacker” was the person who slaughtered worn-out horses in the 19th and 20th centuries for their meat, hoofs, and hide. So, if you’re “ready for the knacker’s yard,” you’re exhausted beyond relief.

“This week’s done me in already, and it’s only Tuesday. I’m cream crackered.”

On the other hand, someone who’s intelligent might be described as “bright.”

“She’s a bit dim.”

It is also sometimes referred to as a “dog’s breakfast.”

“You’ve made a dog’s dinner of that paint job.”

If you see someone you find attractive, you would call them “fit.”

“He’s fit.”

After “The Full Monty” film was released in 1997, there was some international confusion over the phrase, which it was taken as a euphemism for stripping. However, “the full Monty” now usually refers to taking something as far as it can go, similar to “the whole nine yards.”

“The full Monty” historically refers to an old tailor called Sir Montague Burton. Going “the full Monty” meant purchasing a full three-piece suit, a shirt, and all of the trimmings.

“Our Christmas dinner had everything from sprouts to Yorkshire puddings. If you’re going to have a roast, have the full Monty!”

Although the origins of this phrase are largely unknown, a gaff in the 18th-century was a music hall or theater, and so it’s believed to derive from this.

“What are you up to this weekend? We’ve got a party at our gaff, if you fancy it?”

If your favorite football team were to lose, you’d be “gutted.”

“I was absolutely gutted.”

The term is usually used to refer to a nap, but it can also mean a long sleep.

“What a long day. When we get home, I’m going to take a quick kip.”

“Miffed” possibly derives from the German “muffen,” meaning “to sulk.”

“I was a bit miffed, I can’t lie.”

Derived from the Newcastle sociolect, “mortal” was made widely known across the country in 2011 by the reality TV show “Geordie Shore.”

“Did you see Scott last night? He was mortal.”

The phrase is common on the hit British reality show “Love Island.”

“He’s going on a date with Amber? I feel so mugged off right now.”

“You’re mugging me off.”

“Pull” can also be used as a verb. If you’ve “pulled,” you’ve kissed someone.

“You look nice. Are you going on the pull?”

The idiom was first used to describe the thick, choking smog that settled over London, caused by lots of people burning fossil fuels in close vicinity, as early as 1200 c.e.

The smogs were compared to pea soup due to their color and density.

“Be careful when you’re driving — it’s a pea-souper out there.”

Not referring to actual poppies, this quintessentially British idiom derives from the Dutch “pap” and “kak,” which translate as “soft” and “dung.”

“What a load of poppycock!”

The meaning of this slang has been debated at length.

The word “shirt” is derived from the Norse for “short,” hence short-tempered. However, other people believe that “shirty” has connotations of being disheveled.

“Don’t get shirty with me, mister.”

“Skive” is derived from the French “esquiver,” meaning “to slink away.”

“He skived off school so we could all go to Thorpe Park on a weekday.”

“Taking the biscuit” is the equivalent of taking the nonexistent medal for foolishness or incredulity.

If someone has done something highly irritating or surprising in an exasperating fashion, you might say that they’ve “taken the biscuit.”

“I could just about deal with the dog barking at 5:30 a.m., but the lawnmower at 3 a.m. really takes the biscuit.”

When someone makes a great speech while skirting around a subject or saying little of any value, you might say that they’re talking “waffle,” or that they’re “waffling.”

In the 17th century, to “waff” meant to yelp, and that quickly evolved to mean to talk foolishly or indecisively.

“I wish he’d stop waffling on.”

“What a load of waffle!”

It is often deemed as unnecessary or over-the-top. 

“Quit whinging.”

It can also refer to someone already asleep or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“I was going to go out tonight but when I finished work I was absolutely zonked.”

“When I got home, he was already zonked.”

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story was published on November 3, 2017, on Business Insider UK.