Aston | ˈastən |
As in Aston-Martin, the British super car made famous by James Bond in the 1964 film ‘Goldfinger’.
Bezzie Mate | ˈbezē māt |
British slang for one's best friend.
Big Smoke | big smōk |
The big smoke, an affectionate name for the city of London, due to heavy smog caused by Victorian chimney stacks and trains.
Billy No Mates | ˈbilē nō māt |
This phrase is Brit slang for someone who is a “loser”, and thus has no friends!
Branwen’s Feather | bronwens ˈfeðər |
Branwen is a female raven belonging to the Queen of England. She currently resides at the Tower of London.
Bumster | bumster |
Brit slang for one’s bottom, or butt.
Chancer | ˈ ch ans(ə)r |
Brit slang for someone who is sleazy and fake, or tries to pick up women who are out of his league.
Charlie Dickens | ˈ ch ärlē ˈdikinz |
Nickname for Charles Dickens, foremost English novelist of the Victorian era.
Chimney Sweep | ˈ ch imnē swēp |
Chimney sweeps were often depicted in Victorian literature as heartless, abusive scoundrels.
Come to Bed Red | kəm toō bed red |
The sexiest red in history, by butter LONDON.
Cream Tea | krēm tē |
A typically English, upper class afternoon snack consisting of tea, scones and clotted cream.
Crumpet | ˈkrəmpət |
A tasty bread often toasted for breakfast. Also Brit slang for a hot chick.
Dahling | ˈdä li ng |
Term of affection used between fashionistas.
Diamond Geezer | ˈdī(ə)mənd ˈgēzər |
A “diamond geezer” is what the Cockneys call a kind, helpful and reliable man; A gem of a man.
Dolly Bird | ˈdälē bərd |
A pretty, but unintelligent young woman. Also the term used for a gangster’s girlfriend.
Eastender | ˌēst ˈendər |
A person who lives in London, north of the Thames, but east of the city, and speaks with a cockney accent.
Fash Pack | ˈfash pak |
Any group of British women who are truly slaves to fashion, or work for one of the top UK fashion magazines.
Frilly Knickers | ˈfrilē ˈnikərz |
A pair of ladies underpants adorned with ruffles.
Hen Party | hen ˈpärtē |
A British bachelorette party.
Henley Regatta | ˈhenlē riˈgatə |
A rowing race held every year on the river Thames, used primarily as an excuse for very rich Brits to get smashed on the riverbanks.
Hoorah Henri | hoō-ˈrä |
A posh young man, usually loud-spoken, narcissistic, and terribly, terribly English.
HRH
The abbreviation for “Her Royal Highness”, (or Queen Liz).
Jaffa | ˈjäfə |
A type of seedless orange. Also Brit slang for an infertile man.
La Moss | lä môs |
Adding the prefix “La” to anyone’s name implies that they are a diva. A Fashionista’s nickname for England’s most famous model.
London Underground | ˈləndən ˌəndərˈground |
Simultaneously beloved and reviled by all Londoners, the Underground is the most reliable (HA!) form of public transport.
Macbeth | məkˈbeθ |
King of Scotland 1040–57. Also a play by William Shakespeare
about the dangers of the lust for power and betrayal of friends. (Just like Keifer in ‘24’)
Mariner | ˈmarənər |
An English seaman, no snickering please. Also an achingly sexy shade of navy blue by butter LONDON.
Old Blighty | ōld ˈblītē |
An informal and typically affectionate term for Britain, chiefly used by soldiers in World War I, and World War II.
Pillar Box Red | ˈpilər bäks red |
Large, cylindrical public mailboxes only seen in Britain, which are always painted a specific shade of red.
Pink Ribbon | ping k ˈribən |
A modern icon that symbolizes breast cancer awareness.
Portobello Pink | ˌpôrtəˈbelō ping k |
Portobello market is famous for antiques, fresh fruit, and wannabe fashion designers selling their latest school projects from St Martin’s.
Primrose Hill Picnic | ˈprimˌrōz hil ˈpikˌnik |
Primrose Hill is a famous park in North West London frequented by rock stars, yummy mummies, actors, and paparazzi.
Prince’s Plums | prins z pləm z |
When you refer to a man’s ‘plums’, you are really talking about his ‘family jewels’.
Queen Vic | kwēn vik |
Beloved monarch, responsible for many of London’s most beautiful landmarks. (Also the name of about 3,000 English pubs).
Royal Ballet | ˈroiəl baˈlā |
Fit young Brits in tights.
Saucy Jack | ˈsôsē jak |
Nickname for Jack the Ripper, as coined in the legendary film, ‘This Is Spinal Tap’.
Swinger | swi ngər |
A person who indulges in sexual practices with two or more people simultaneously, hence the term “the swinging 60’s”.
Tea with the Queen | tē wiθðə kwēn |
A highly prestigious invitation extended to important and boring members of the British public.
Teddy Boy | ˈtedē boi |
A 50’s youth culture movement typified by boys with greased back hair, girls in bullet bras, and lots of drinking, fighting, and shagging.
Thames | temz |
The often mispronounced river that runs through London. It’s “Tims”, you crazy Yanks!
The Full Monty | ðē foŏl ˈmäntē |
British slang for being naked.
Tramp Stamp | tramp stamp |
A tattoo on the small of a woman’s back, whose presence signifies that she is “easy”.
Union Jack Black | ˈyoōnyən jak blak |
The Union Jack is the name for the United Kingdom’s flag.
West End Wonderland | west end ˈwəndərˌland |
London’s answer to “Broadway” in NYC, where hopeful starlets alight from buses and straight into strip clubs.
Yummy Mummy | ˈyəmē ˈməmē |
Brit slang for impossibly slim, beautiful, “stay-at-home mums”.
