9 slang terms from across the UK

A couple smiling at eachother on a bridge in London with the river behind them

The English language (British English in particular) is a fascinating mix of regional dialects and unique slang, shaped by centuries of history and cultural influences. Throughout its long history, . From the Romans in ancient Londinium to the rolling hills of the Saxon heartland, and from the Viking raiders of the north to the Norman conquerors of the south, each wave of historical influence has shaped the dialects of the UK. Each region of the United Kingdom has its own distinct flavor of language and accent. Today, we embark on an English slang tour to explore some of the expressions from different regions.

Slang terms from across the UK
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree app can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

1. West Midlands: "Bostin'"

Let's begin in the heart of England, the West Midlands. Here, you might hear the word "bostin'" thrown around quite a bit. This charming expression simply means "excellent" or "fantastic." So, if someone says your meal was "bostin'," you can rest assured your cooking skills have earned top marks.

2. East Midlands: "Duck"

If you head east to the East Midlands region, you might come across a term of endearment that could raise an eyebrow or two if you're not used to it. Local people often call each other "duck," regardless of gender or age. It's a friendly and informal way of addressing someone, similar to how people in other regions use "mate" or "love.”

3. London: "Chuffed"

London is a massive city where slang changes as fast as the city itself. One of the words you might hear is "chuffed." When Londoners say they're "chuffed," it means they're happy or pleased. So, if someone from London compliments you and says, "I'm well chuffed with you," you've definitely made a good impression.

4. South West England: "Ansum" (Cornwall) and "Gert Lush" (Bristol)

In the sunny landscapes of Cornwall, the locals frequently use the delightful Cornish slang term "ansum" to describe something that's handsome or lovely. On the other hand, in Bristol, you'll often hear the expression "gert lush" used to signify something that's really great or fantastic.

5. North East England: "Canny"

As we travel to the Northeast, you may come across the word "canny." In this region, "canny" doesn't imply being careful, but rather, it is used to describe something that is good, enjoyable, or appealing. For instance, if you visit Newcastle and someone says, "She's a canny lass," it means that the person considers her to be a likable and charming woman.

6. Cheshire: "Mardy"

Cheshire offers the intriguing term "mardy." This word is used to describe someone who's in a bad mood or being grumpy. If you hear someone say, "She's a bit mardy today," you'll know to approach with caution.

7. Shropshire: “Around the Wrekin”

The Wrekin is a prominent hill in the area well-known by the residents of Shropshire. They often use the phrase to describe someone who takes a long-winded or complicated approach to a task. It can also be used to describe a situation where someone has taken an unnecessarily long route to get to a destination.

8. Scotland: "Braw"

Let's continue our slang tour and head to the stunning landscapes of Scotland, where the word "braw" is commonly used. The Scots use this term to describe something that is splendid, beautiful, or excellent. For example, if you happen to be in Edinburgh and hear someone say, "The view from Arthur's Seat is pure braw," you'll know that it's a view that should not be missed.

9. Wales: "Cwtch"

Crossing over to Wales, we discover the heart-warming term "cwtch" (pronounced "kutch"). It refers to a cuddle or an affectionate hug, embodying the Welsh spirit of warmth and closeness.

From the south of England to Scotland, and everywhere in between, these unique expressions reflect the distinctive character of the people who call these places home. As the world becomes more connected, people are taking their unique dialects with them wherever they go.

You might also find some of these terms traveling further afield, being used in other regions or even countries. Unsurprisingly, as from a range of other languages. Exploring the origins of English slang can be a great gateway to learning about the history of a place, so make sure to read up about it next time you hear an interesting one. You can check out to keep up to date with the latest ones.

More blogs from app

  • Grammar 101: insider tips and tricks to instantly improve your writing (part 4)

    By
    Reading time: 7 minutes

    Punctuation makes your writing easier to read and understand, but it can be tricky to master. As an editor and proofreader, I often notice people confusing semi-colons and colons, so we'll explore the difference between them. And because both are often used in lists, we'll also look at the humble comma – and its sometimes-controversional cousin, the Oxford comma.

    Semi-colons and colons both connect phrases in a sentence but are used in different situations.

    Understanding colons

    Colons introduce important information and explanations. They're often used before lists as a replacement for phrases like "they are" and "which is":

    • He offered me a choice of drinks: tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
    • I packed the essentials in my bag: water, pens and a magazine.
    • She speaks three languages: English, French and Portuguese.

    You can also think of a colon as a spotlight, with the phrase that comes after the colon explaining or expanding what came before it.

    • In 1903, travel was changed forever by an important event: Orville and Wilbur Wright's first successful flight.
    • He loves visiting the animals at the farm: cows are his favourite.
    • There is one rule I live by: I treat others as I wish to be treated.

    The secrets of semi-colons

    A semi-colon links two ideas that are closely related and that would be two complete sentences if you used a period instead. They give a softer transition than a period would, and they're often used instead of conjunctions like "and", "but" and "because":

    • I love eating pizza; my sister loves eating burgers.
    • I wanted to go for a swim; I couldn't find my goggles.
    • I'm going to the park; the weather is beautiful.

    Semi-colons also seperate items in long lists to make life easier for the reader and stop a sentence becoming a sea of apostrophes. For example:

    • I've got my shopping list ready: peppers, carrots and oranges from the market; toothpaste, shampoo and pain relief from the drugstore; and a newspaper, snack and drink from the newsstand.

    Standard comma or Oxford comma?

    An Oxford comma goes before "and" or "or" at the end of a list. The first example has an Oxford comma, the second doesn't.

    • Please bring me a sandwich made with cheese, lettuce, and tomato.
    • Please bring me a sandwich made with cheese, lettuce and tomato.

    American English generally favors the Oxford comma, British English typically omits it, unless needed for clarity. Compare:

    • I love my parents, Taylor Swift and Keanu Reeves.
    • I love my parents, Taylor Swift, and Keanu Reeves.

    As with many areas of punctuation, whether you choose to use the Oxford comma is a matter of personal preference. However, the most important thing is to be consistent in your usage.

  • A person in a striped shirt writes with a marker on a whiteboard, holding a clip board

    Clear path to fast-track progress: Why choose assessment underpinned by the GSE

    By
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    At the beginning of every school year, we welcome new learners into our classrooms with the same core question: Where are our students now, and how far can we take them?

    For English teachers, this reveals a huge challenge. In a single class, we might have one student at an A2 level, while others are solidly B1 or just entering A2+. Navigating such a wide range of abilities can feel overwhelming.

    We’ve all seen it: students can spend months (or even years) studying English and still feel like they haven’t moved up a level. Teachers work incredibly hard, and students put in the effort, but progress feels intangible. Why is that? And more importantly, how can schools make it easier to see and support that progress?

    In recent years, I have found a powerful ally in answering that question: the Global Scale of English (GSE). Backed by app and aligned with the CEFR, the GSE offers more than just levels, it provides a clear, data-informed path to language growth. Most importantly, it gives teachers and school leaders the ability to set meaningful goals and measure real progress.

    But, how is this useful at the beginning of the school year?

    Starting with assessment

    To get a clear picture from the start, assessment is essential; there’s no doubt about it. However, it can't just be a punctuation mark at the end of a term or a requirement from administration. Used strategically, this first assessment can be the compass that guides instruction and curriculum decisions, empowering both teachers and students from day one. This is why choosing the correct assessment tools becomes fundamental.

    The GSE difference: Precision, clarity, confidence

    Unlike the broad bands of the CEFR, the GSE provides a granular scale from 10 to 90, breaking down each skill into precise learning objectives. This allows educators to monitor progress at a much closer level, often identifying improvements that would otherwise go unnoticed.

    When learners see that their score has moved from 36 to 42, even if their overall CEFR level hasn’t changed, they gain confidence. They recognize that learning is a continuous process rather than a series of steps. Teachers, in turn, are able to validate growth, provide clear evidence of learning and tailor instruction to the learner’s current needs, not just their general level.

    For example, two students might both be classified as "A2", but the GSE gives us a much clearer picture: a student with a GSE score of 35 is likely mastering simple sentences, while another student scoring 40 might already be comfortable writing simple stories and is ready to tackle B1-level tasks.

    This isn't just data: it's a roadmap. It tells us exactly what to teach next, allowing us to differentiate with confidence instead of relying solely on gut feeling.

    GSE tools that make it happen

    app offers a comprehensive range of GSE-aligned assessment tools that support different stages of the learning journey. Each tool plays a distinct role in placement, diagnosis, benchmarking or certification.

  • A person in a denim jacket and striped shirt holds glasses and a notebook, standing by a window with bright daylight.

    What happens in the brain when you learn a language?

    By
    Reading time: 7 minutes

    Whether you’re picking up Spanish for travel, Mandarin for business or French just for fun, you’re not only expanding your communication skills, you’re also giving your brain a powerful workout. But what actually happens inside your brain when you learn a language?

    The brain’s language centers

    Your brain is made up of many parts and two areas are significant for language:

    • : Located in the frontal lobe, this region helps you produce speech and form sentences.
    • : Found in the temporal lobe, this area helps you understand spoken and written language.

    When you start learning a new language, these areas get busy. They work together to help you listen, speak, read and write in your new language (Friederici, 2011).