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English Slang: words that you won't learn in school, but will be useful in the pub
To truly connect with English speaking people, as an acquirer of the language, you must learn colloquial terms as well as what you’re taught in the classroom. On learning English, students are often not given the kind of language that is necessary when on a night out or in certain social situations. There are a lot of slang and phrasal verbs that should be learnt to fully immerse into the English speaking society. Here are present you with a five handy slang phrases to impress your English friends with:
Boozer - Generally used in the South of England, a ‘boozer’ is a slang name for a pub or bar. This probably wouldn?t be used in a classy or posh drinking place. It is more the term for a cheaper option.
Geezer - A term referring to a man. This could be used in a general sense or possibly hold connotations of a ?diamond geezer?. This would refer to a man who likes to go to the pub, chat to women, watch football and, to a more extreme extent, be linked with a lawless life on the street connected with crime.
"Have you met Darren? He’s a bit of a geezer."
Handbags - This refers to a minor argument or fight. It is linked to ?pistols at 20 paces? which is an old duelling saying. As it is just a petty fight or argument, it has comically been changed to ?handbags at 10 paces? or simply ?handbags?.
"They fell out, but it was only handbags."
Owt - Literally meaning ‘anything’. Used in the north of England this can simply be substituted for the word ‘anything’. It’s very much a slang word, that doesn’t even have an official spelling. You certainly wouldn’t find it in the text book at an English language school, such as Language in Group English school.
Grub - A term that means ‘food’. This would generally be used in connection with something that isn’t luxurious and wouldn’t be used to describe fine-dining. It is often used to describe food from a pub, ‘pub grub.’ It is unlikely that this term would be taught at the Language in Group or somewhere similar.
"Is there any grub in the house?"
Stuffed - This is used when somebody is full of food and they cannot eat anything else. In the same way that you could stuff a turkey or maybe a soft toy, you can also stuff yourself with food.
"Yeah I've had my dinner. I'm absolutely stuffed."
Crikey - An exclamation of amazement, shock or disbelief , which is similar to "blimey". This could be used in a serious situation or also in a sarcastic manner.
"Crikey look at her new haircut."
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