English and American people might technically speak the same language, but spend a few days touring London or Scotland with us and you’ll realise the gap is wider than the Atlantic ocean. We don’t just have different accents, we have entirely different vocabulary, and our slang operates on its own logic.
After years of leading tours and watching American visitors navigate linguistic confusion, these are the words that come up most frequently.
1.Cheers (doesn’t mean what you think)
Americans know “cheers” as what you say when clinking glasses and we use it that way too, but we also use it to mean thank you, goodbye, you’re welcome, and general acknowledgment of a favour or kindness.
Someone holds a door open? “Cheers.” The bartender brings your change? “Cheers.” You’re ending a phone call? “Cheers then.” It’s possibly our most versatile word, deployed dozens of times daily in situations that have nothing to do with drinking. During our private and bespoke tours, you’ll hear “cheers” constantly, and American visitors might initially assume we’re unusually enthusiastic about toasting. We’re not, we’re just being normally British.
2. Knackered Means Exhausted
When someone says they’re “absolutely knackered,” they mean exhausted, worn out, desperately tired. It used to be a word considered slightly rude or crude, but now it’s everyday vocabulary that everyone from teenagers to grandmothers use freely.
After a long day discovering the best of England with a local guide, walking through castles and historic sites, you’ll hear “I’m knackered” as the British equivalent of “I’m beat” or “I’m wiped out.” It’s an honest admission of tiredness without drama or complaint. The word comes from old slang for worn-out horses, though nobody thinks about that anymore. It’s just what being tired sounds like in British English.
3. Proper Means Really Or Genuine
“Proper” serves as both an adjective and an intensifier in British slang, something can be “proper good” (really good) or a “proper mess” (genuinely messy). It emphasises authenticity or the degree of something.
You’ll hear locals describing things as ‘proper’ with reasonable regularity. “That’s a proper castle, that is” means it’s genuinely impressive and authentic. “Proper British summer” delivered sarcastically whilst standing in rain means the weather is behaving exactly as stereotypes suggest.
“Proper” also means correct or appropriate and just to add more confusion, we use it that way too, but the slang usage is far more common in everyday speech.
4. Gutted Means Really Disappointed
If someone’s “absolutely gutted,” they’re deeply disappointed about something and are expressing genuine upset or dismay. “We’re gutted the weather’s turned” means we’re genuinely disappointed it’s started raining. “I’m gutted I missed that” means you’re genuinely sorry you weren’t there.
The word comes from feeling like your insides have been removed, which sounds dramatic but accurately captures that hollow disappointed feeling. In true English style, we’ve softened it and incorporated it into everyday use.
5. Brilliant Means Great
“Brilliant” in American English suggests exceptional intelligence or dazzling quality, but in British English, it’s become a standard positive response meaning anything from fine to excellent. “Shall we stop here for lunch?” “Brilliant.” “I’ve found us tickets.” “Oh, brilliant!” It can also be used sarcastically. “Brilliant, the car won’t start” means the exact opposite and is decidedly not brilliant. The context and tone used differentiate enthusiasm from sarcastic despair.
When visiting you’ll hear “brilliant” dozens of times daily; it’s the English default positive response. It’s a bit softer than the American “awesome” or “great,” but carries genuine warmth when deployed properly.
6. Quid Means Pounds (money)
“Quid” is British slang for pounds sterling. “That’ll be fifteen quid” means £15. “I’ve only got a few quid on me” means limited cash. It’s equivalent to Americans saying “bucks” instead of dollars. The term is always singular, it’s fifteen quid, not fifteen quids. The history of why we call pounds “quid,” is a bit murky though several theories abound. We just do, and have done for centuries.
Other money slang exists; a “fiver” is £5, a “tenner” is £10, but ‘quid’ is the most universally used. During full-day London tours that involve shopping or meals, understanding this prevents confusion when locals casually mention the price of something.
7. Mate Is Complicated
“Mate” means friend, but it’s used far more broadly than that in the English language. Strangers call each other mate, shop assistants say it to customers, friends (even of the same gender) call each other mate. It’s a friendly word but it doesn’t always indicate an actual friendship.
“Alright, mate?” is a standard greeting between men, requiring the response “Yeah, alright?” rather than actual information about wellbeing. “Cheers, mate” thanks someone casually. “Steady on, mate” gently suggests someone’s overreacting.
8. Lovely as a universal positive
“Lovely” is our default word for pleasant, nice, satisfactory, or agreeable. “Lovely weather.” “Lovely cup of tea.” “Lovely to meet you.” “That’s lovely, dear.” Americans sometimes find British men using “lovely” surprising, it can sound feminine to American ears but is completely gender-neutral here. Everyone says ‘lovely’ about everything, constantly.
We also use it as filler when we’re not really listening. “Lovely” delivered absently whilst thinking about something else is polite acknowledgment without engagement. Learning to distinguish genuine ‘lovely’ from autopilot ‘lovely’ takes a practiced ear.
9. Taking The Mickey
“Taking the mickey” means teasing, or making fun of someone, usually in a friendly way and is not offensive in most contexts. “Are you taking the mickey?” means “are you joking?” or “are you making fun of me?” British friendship groups routinely take the mickey out of each other; weirdly it’s how we show affection and establish social bonds in this country. If British people are taking the mickey, they like you. If they’re unfailingly polite, they probably don’t.
During UK tours, you might hear locals gently teasing each other or even friendly visitors. It’s meant affectionately, and being able to laugh at yourself earns immediate respect. Taking offence marks you as someone who doesn’t understand how British social interaction works.
10. Dodgy means suspicious or unreliable
“Dodgy” describes anything questionable, suspicious, unreliable, or potentially problematic. A “dodgy curry” might cause stomach troubles and “dodgy weather” means it’s likely raining, and a “dodgy bloke” is an untrustworthy person.
It’s wonderfully versatile, applying to food, people, situations, objects, areas of town, or decisions. British people use “dodgy” constantly to express reservations without being dramatic. “How was the hotel?” “Bit dodgy, honestly” tells you everything you need to know without elaborate explanation.
Also if you fancy looking up some more words that are used you can try this online slang diary
Tour England with Best UK Tours and our linguistically savvy guides will keep you on the right track!
