7-percent:Let’s talk about SLANGI don’t suppose that English is any different from otherlanguages in
7-percent:Let’s talk about SLANGI don’t suppose that English is any different from otherlanguages in that it has a rich vocabulary of words that are used to add emphasisand nuance to meaning. The official definition of “slang” is atype of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as veryinformal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restrictedto a particular context or group of people.In the case of fan fiction set in Britain, the lack of slangcan end up making your story sound oddly formal. For non-Brits, however, it canbe a mine-field. So here is a sort of field guide. Some are used by olderpeople than others, so don’t tell me that they aren’t used anymore. Someone likeMrs Hudson might use them, but Archie (the page boy at the Watson wedding)might not. John’s use of slang is more prevalent in the scripts than Sherlock’sbut that can also be a function of class and public school versus the army andmedical profession. I haven’t included cockney rhyming slang in this because tomy ears having lived in England for over 40 years and in London for more thanhalf of that, I haven’t heard it except in films or TV. Mug= gullible, will believe anythingKhazi= toilet, looDodgy=not to be trustedCrikey!= an exclamation of surpriseTake the piss= make fun ofHiya= helloDiddle= rip someone off, a scamDawdle= easy, or waste timePut it in the bin= throw in the trash, garbageBelt up= shut upBender= a major drinking session, often over a 24 hourperiod. Can include drugsGive us a bell= phone meBrassed off= annoyedBest of British= wish someone luckCheerio= goodbyeEngaged= phone line is busyBlinkered= oblivious, one sidedChin-wag= conversation, gossipGander= a look atKnackered= tiredHave the lurgy= feeling unwellChockablock= full to bursting pointClanger= an obvious and indiscreet mistake or blunder.Codswallop= pack of liesGormless= clueless, stupidGutted= devastated, sadLegless= pissed as a newt- plastered- trolleyed-off yourtits = drunkPants= be rubbish, very bad at something.Minted= richMinging= something unpleasant, unappetising, or highlyunattractive Faff= waste time doing something pointlessFlog= to sell somethingGob/Gobsmacked= gob is a mouth; gobsmacked is to beastoundedCake-hole= mouthSkint= brokeSkive= cutting class, leaving work early, shirkingresponsibilityStarkers= nakedStark staring bonkers= crazyStuffed= fuckedTickety-boo= satisfactory and in good orderTosser/toss pot= stupid, annoyingPillock/twit/git/plonker= idiot, obnoxiousDaft cow= female gitSmarmy= untrustworthy, scheming, slipperyIf you have any weird and wonderfulslang to add, please do so in a comment. Wonder what something means? My Ask Boxis always open. -- source link
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