Basic British Used in the Series
ASBO – Anti Social Behaviour Order; an official order for a person to stop behaving in a way that annoys or harms others
bagsy – dibs
Billy-no-mates – someone who has no friends
biscuit – cookie
bodge; bodged – make a mess of (“a bodge job”)
budge up – move over; scoot over
car park – public parking lot (sometimes free, sometimes not)
chuffed – pleased with the results
clothes horse – clothes drying rack
cuppa – cup of tea
diary – day planner, calendar, or scheduling book (not a journal of innermost thoughts and longings)
dosh – money
fête – traditional public festivals held outdoors with the goal of raising funds for charity; usually include entertainment and the sale of goods and refreshments.
fresher – first-year student at university; abbreviation of “freshman”
gas mark – temperature scale used on gas ovens and cookers in the United Kingdom
good nick – good condition
gormless – stupid or dull
have kittens – pitch an absolute fit
haven’t seen you for yonks – haven’t seen you in a long time
knickers – underwear
lead (for a dog) – leash
to let – to rent
lift – elevator
loo – toilet; restroom
lorry – large truck
pitch – playing field for competitive sports
mint – expensive; rich
mobile – cell phone
to read (a subject at university) – to major in or study a subject
revision; revising – studying or preparing for a quiz, test, etc.
skint – cheap; poor
skive – skip (as in skipping school or work)
swot – someone who studies really hard AND kisses up to the teacher or boss; more than just a nerd
ta – thank you
taking the mick/mickey – teasing or making fun of someone (in a lighthearted way…mostly)
throw a sickie – play hookie
to put paid to it – to bring something to an end; terminate or cancel
twaddle – untrue or ridiculous talk
uni – short for university (which is never referred in England as “school”)
wazzock – foolish person
F. E. Greene 