Okay so the English may not be the easiest language in the world, but we do like to make things more fun! Slang and catchphrases are very common to keep things more interesting. 

Check out below a pocketful of English phrases to keep you entertained. Why not try to bring them into your everyday life?

Not my cup of tea

Okay so stereo typically, us Brits encounter many “Very British Problems”, one being that we are renowned people pleasers and talking negatively about a person or situation is simply awful! As well as this, you may find the taste of one’s decision of clothes simply horrible, yet you wish not to cause offense. Also perhaps the 80z steak with peppercorn sauce your friend cooked you is tougher than going three rounds with Mike Tyson? Yet still, you don’t want to hurt their feelings. Instead you will say, “this is not my cup tea”. Tea in itself, is treasured by the British nation and is prepared in endless methods. Therefore by acknowledging that this is not my cup of tea, is to acknowledge that you don’t like what has been presented to you, but understand and respect that others will.

Fancy a cuppa?

Okay so this is the last tea quote of the day okay? A cuppa is simply a slang term for “ a cup of English tea”. If you are offering a coffee, you may ask “fancy a cuppa coffee”? However, it is imperative that you remember to mention coffee, otherwise all else will be doomed. If you offer a cuppa to your British visitor and they claim to have expected a coffee, then you must question their nationality with immediate effect! Oh one more thing…make sure you ask if they take milk or sugar. Expect a few of the response before 

“1 sugar”

“Half a s sugar”

“Two sugars”

“Just a splash of milk please”

“Can you put the milk in first”

The list of tea options is arguably infinite!

I am chuffed – 

One could experience very simple news and be happy about it in this world. Maybe their friend got the promotion they wanted? Instead they could have gained something for themselves. Perhaps the weather was beautiful meaning that an individual could go for the picnic that they had been planning all week, therefore they would say “I am Chuffed”. “Chuffed” is merely a slang term to recognise that the intended result has occurred in a situation and they are happy about it. It is basically a replacement for the word glad. You can be chuffed for yourself, or someone else.

Bagsy that one –

This slang is more typically expressed among teenagers in a social situation, who wish the claim the best out of two or more options

For example, Bob and Fred visit a cafe which has two pieces of beautiful English Victorian sponge cake left, one size is considerably larger than the other. Bob says, “Bagsy that one”whilst pointing to the larger slice, Fred instantly accepts that the larger piece that Bob is pointing at is his! Bob’s quick thinking and the use of the word bagsy instantly meant that he gained it…..better luck next time Fred!

I am Cheesed off? 

Okay so a certain situation has occurred which has annoyed you, to avoid any passive aggressive language, cheese is used to demonstrate that whilst something has annoyed you. You are upset with the situation, therefore you are “cheesed off”.

I fancy a kip

Are you feeling tired after reading this insightful article? If so, why not take a nap? Kip is just a fun little word for nap, referring to a short period of time to get some sleep. Some people also refer to this as “shut-eye”.

Thank you so much for catching up with out pocketful of English language phrases, the English language is packed full of these! It sure does make life interesting.