Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For a longer list, plus a dry-witted primer on British culture, see
The Septic's Companion
(Chris Rae). Note that instead of asking, “Can I help you?” many Brits offer a more casual,
“You alright?” or “You OK there?”
advert:
advertisement
afters:
dessert
anticlockwise:
counterclockwise
Antipodean:
An Australian or New Zealander
aubergine:
eggplant
banger:
sausage
bangers and mash:
sausage and mashed potatoes
bank holiday:
legal holiday
bap:
small roll
bespoke:
custom-made
billion:
a thousand of our billions (a million million)
biro:
ballpoint pen
biscuit:
cookie
black pudding:
sausage made from dried blood
bloody:
damn
blow off:
fart
bobby:
policeman (“the Bill” is more common)
Bob's your uncle:
there you go (with a shrug), naturally
boffin:
nerd, geek
bollocks:
testicles (used in many colorful expressions)
bolshy:
argumentative
bomb:
success or failure
bonnet:
car hood
booking:
reservation
boot:
car trunk
braces:
suspenders
bridle way:
path for walkers, bikers, and horse riders
