British slang and dialects
Jakub Nojszewski IGD
British Slang
Slang także język specjalny, argot, gwara środowiskowa – swoista odmiana potocznego
języka ogólnonarodowego oparta na odrębności środowiskowej. Odróżnia się tym od dialektu i
gwary, wyodrębnionych terytorialnie.
Slangi różnicuje się ze względu na środowisko, w którym są używane – do ważniejszych należą
slang przestępczy, więzienny, a także młodzieżowy, żeglarski i naukowy. Niekiedy słownictwo
typowo slangowe wkracza do języka ogólnego, jednak przeważnie używane jest wtedy do celów
humorystycznych, ekspresyjnych i stylizacyjnych
Where is it used?
 As the name suggests, British slang is commonly found all
over England. Although, it is not used in Scotland, Ireland or
Wales, who all have their own slang.
 However, although most British people use the same slang,
most major cities contain different accents, so the
pronunciation of certain words changes.
Who uses it and why?
 The most common reason for using this language is to shorten
certain sentences and to get a message across quickly, usually by
using abbreviations, and for talking quickly in public.
 British slang is used in face-to-face situations, texting and email.
The most common situation on the net for this slang to occur is on
social networking sites.
 However, newer British slang is only commonly heard from
teenagers, it is not used in formal letters or on resumes for
example, because it could be seen as inappropriate, unacceptable
and rude.
 The most common medium used for British slang is voice.
Common Words Used
Common Expressions
Language in Context
 “Stick a pony in me pocket” – Opening credits from ‘Only Fools and

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Horses’, means “give me 25 pounds”, it was a common phrase at that
time (80’s)
“Feel like Bangers and Mash?” – Would only be found in food magazines/
adverts on TV, means “Feel like Sausages and Mash Potatoes?”
“I’m feeling a bit dicky, twit” – Would be found in comics throughout
England, means “I’m feeling a bit unwell, idiot”
“Gimme some dosh you geezer” – Could possibly be found in a comic
representing a robbery, means “Give me some money, old man”
“Come and take a gander at the Eiffel Tower!” – Advert for a trip to Paris
to see the Eiffel Tower, means “Come and take a look at the Eiffel Tower”
Cockney Rhyming Slang
 Cockney Rhyming Slang originated in the East End of London.
Some slang expressions have left London and are in popular use
throughout the rest of Britain.
 Globally, British and Cockney slang is not very popular, because
the slang is overruled by another countries slang.
 “Rhyming Slang phrases are derived from taking an expression
which rhymes with a word and then using that expression instead
of the word.”
 Modern Cockney slang today tends to only rhyme words with the
names of celebrities or famous people, simply because it is easier
for people to relate to.
Strange Cockney Rhyming Examples
English
Rhymes With
Cockney
Feet
Plates of meat
Plates
Teeth
Hampstead Heeth
Hampsteads
Legs
Scotch Eggs
Scotches
Eyes
Mince Pies
Minces
Arms
Chalk Farms
Chalk Farms
Hair
Barnet Fair
Barnet
Head
Loaf of bread
Loaf
Face
Boat race
Boat race
Mouth
North and South
North and South
Cockney Rhyming Sentence Examples
 “See you later, alligator” – “See you later”
 “Pass the army, will you?” – “Pass the gravy, will you?”
 “The trouble’s been shopping again” – “The wife’s been shopping again”
 “She’s a bit daffy” – “She’s a bit silly”
 “Use your crust, lad” – “Use your head, lad”
 “Stick it up your Khyber” – “Stick it up your arse”
 “What beautiful minces” – “What beautiful eyes”
 “I can smell a raspberry” – “I can smell a fart”
 “Where’s my weasel?” – “Where’s my coat?”
 “Could you lend me an oxford?” – “Could lend me a dollar?”
Has it changed overtime?
 British slang has derived from Elizabethan times in (1558),
and around Shakespeare's lifetime. However, over time words
have gradually been made simpler and easier to say (because
human’s got lazy).
 Even simple words like ‘twas’, which nows means ‘it was’ have
changed slowly over time.
 A word that has been shortened slightly is ‘Give me leave to’,
which now means ‘allow me to’.
Dialekt
 Dialekt ("rozmowa, sposób mówienia") – regionalna
odmiana języka, odznaczająca się swoistymi cechami ,
leksykalnymi itp.
 Dialektami nazywane są różne odmiany jednego języka
mówionego. O uznaniu jakiejś mowy za język, raczej niż za
dialekt innego (nadrzędnego) języka decydują w znacznie
większym stopniu czynniki pozajęzykoznawcze, niż
językoznawcze.
Words for ‘splinter’
spell
spelk
speel
spill
splie
spool
splint
shiver
silver
source:
Upton, C. & J. Widdowson (1996).
An Atlas of English Dialects. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
13/14
Bibliography List

British Slang Words,

Barrow, M, British Sayings/Idioms,

What is cockney rhyming slang? Cockney Rhyming Slang

Wikipedia,