Follow25 English Words and Phrases
that you might want to know about before taking that trip to England
England very much has its own colorful sub-dialect filled with words and phrases that could easily confuse a visitor. There are more differences between British and American English than meets the eye. The British have a fondness for adding the letter U, such as in the word colour or neighbour. They also prefer S over Z, in words such as scrutinise and civilise. Here are 25 English words and phrases that you may not be familiar with. I would suggest that you familiarize yourself with their definitions and their use.
25 English Words and Phrases That You May Not Know
1) Across the Pond – America. ‘Ah you’ve come across the pond then?’
2) Back foot – At a disadvantage. ‘The plane landing late but us on the back foot from the start.’
3) White goods – Major appliances such as cookers and refrigerators. ‘Does the self-catering cottage come
with white goods?’
4) Cooker – A stove or range. ‘Aye, the cooker’s got four burners.’
5) Bob’s your uncle – All will be well. ‘Just follow these directions and Bob’s your uncle.’
6) Damp squib – Something has little effect. ‘The team came roaring out of the tunnel, but in the end it was
a damp squib.’
7) Go pear-shaped – Things that don’t end well. ‘We were ahead two-nil, then it got pear-shaped.’
8) Boot – The trunk of a car.
9) Bonnet – The hood of a car.
10) Petrol – Gasoline
11) In rude health – They are obviously healthy. ‘After that week in the sun in Majorca, Ted’s come back
rude healthy.’
12) The Blower – A telephone. ‘Here, we’ll get them on the blower.’
13) Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic – Any action that is an utter waste of time and effort.
14) Handbags – An argument.
15) Toys out of the pram – A ridiculous argument.
16) Throwing hands – A fist-fight. ‘It all started as toys out of the pram, and then wouldn’t you know
they started throwing hands!’
17) Squid – A pound sterling, also ‘quid.’
18) Rashers – Bacon. ‘I’ll have eggs and rashers for breakfast please.’
19) Cottage – Can refer to any home, not just those in the countryside.
20) Red sauce – Ketchup
21) Brown sauce – Generic term for A1, HP and other bottled sauces served with meat.
22) Crisps – Potato chips.
23) Tins – Cans of beer. ‘Fell like picking us up some tins and crisps?’
24) Pudding – Generic term for any and all desserts. It can also be a sort of sliced sausage served
with breakfast, so do note the time to day.
25) Ta – Thank you.
These 25 English words and phrases will certainly help you to understand the lingo if you plan on taking a holiday in the United Kingdom. They will also help you to understand some of the British TV shows that may be available for you to watch on your television.
