British Slang

TEENENGLISHBritish Slang

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 MSN and 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 UsedBarmyCrazyDickyFeeling UnwellDoshMoneyTwitIdiotGobMouthIffyDoubtfulJammyLuckyTop!WonderfulBangersSausagesBobbyPolicemanDodgyShadyEppyA fitGanderTo look atGeezerOld manGrubFoodHooter Nose

Common ExpressionsIm Knackered = Im tiredTaking the Mick = Teasing/making fun ofBig girls blouse = A weaklingLeg it = Run fastPopped his/her cloggs = He/she diedBobs your uncle = Sentence ending (you will be successful)Want a brew? = Want a cup of tea?

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Language in ContextStick a pony in me pocket Opening credits from Only Fools and Horses, means give me 25 pounds, it was a common phrase at that time (80s)Feel like Bangers and Mash? Would only be found in food magazines/ adverts on TV, means Feel like Sausages and Mash Potatoes?Im feeling a bit dicky, twit Would be found in comics throughout England, means Im feeling a bit unwell, idiotGimme some dosh you geezer Could possibly be found in a comic representing a robbery, means Give me some money, old manCome 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 SlangCockney 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.

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Strange Cockney Rhyming ExamplesEnglishRhymes WithCockneyFeetPlates of meatPlatesTeethHampstead HeethHampsteadsLegsScotch EggsScotchesEyesMince PiesMincesArmsChalk FarmsChalk FarmsHairBarnet FairBarnetHeadLoaf of breadLoafFaceBoat raceBoat raceMouthNorth and SouthNorth and South

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Cockney Rhyming Sentence ExamplesSee you later, alligator See you laterPass the army, will you? Pass the gravy, will you?The troubles been shopping again The wifes been shopping againShes a bit daffy Shes a bit sillyUse your crust, lad Use your head, ladStick it up your Khyber Stick it up your arseWhat beautiful minces What beautiful eyesI can smell a raspberry I can smell a fartWheres my weasel? Wheres my coat?Could you lend me an oxford? Could lend me a dollar?

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Teenage SlangIn 2010, the BBC did a test on a group of teenagers to study the differences of how teenagers speak in different parts of the UK.They gave a simple phrase to all the teenagers and told them to convert it into their own slang.The phrase was: John's girlfriend is really pretty. But she got mad with him the other day because he wanted to hang out with his friends rather than take her to the cinema. She got really angry and stormed off. It was very funny.

Say what? A parents' guide to UK teenage slang, BBC News, viewed 25th May 2011

Continued on next slide

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Teenage Slang Results, WalesA person from Swansea, Wales said this:

John's missus is flat out bangin'. But she was tampin' the other day 'cause he bombed her out for the boys instead of going to the cinema. She... started mouthing. It was hilarious.GirlfriendAttractive Got madLeft herShouting, abusing

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Teenage Slang Results, LanarkshireA person from Bellshill, Lanarkshire said this: John's burd is well stunnin'. She wis pure mental wae 'um the other day cos he wantit tae hing aboot wi 'is pals 'n no take hur tae the Showcase. She took a hissy 'n bolted. It wis well funny.

Converted: Johns girl is really stunning. She went mental at him the other day because he wanted to hang around with his pals and not take her to the cinema. She got really angry and ran away. It was really funny.

GirlBecausePretty, AttractiveAt himWasWanted toGot angryRan awayHer toWas veryHang about with hisAnd not

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Teenage Slang Results, IrelandA person from Londonderry, Northern Ireland said this:

"John's girlfriend is pure stunnin'. But she was ragin' cos he dogged her out of it to got to the pictures with his muckers. She pure went into one and booted. It was some craic."

Converted:Johns girlfriend is very stunning, but she was angry because he left her to go to the pictures with his friends. She went extremely mad and walked away. It was good fun.

Very stunningAngryWalked/Ran awayGood funFriendsLeft her

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GroupsBritish Slang changes in different parts of England, each County has its own unique accent and expression for slang.The most common group to use British slang are teenagers. Usually, teenagers invent most of the newer slang, such as Chav (an aggressive, unemployed low-life) and Sick (very good).Whereas older generations stick to the older slang, such as Bobs Your Uncle and Taking the Mick (Mickey). Because of this, different generation occasionally struggle to communicate with each other.Moreover, this can exclude certain groups because they do not know the slang used by other groups/generations.

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CommunicationThe downside to British slang is it is very hard to understand for anyone away from that particular area where the slang is spoken. For example, Londoners say certain phrases such as Im going out for ruby Murray (which means going out for a curry), whereas other areas would say Im going out for a chinky (which means Chinese) Accents and pronunciation affect communication dramatically, certain towns and areas drop and add certain letters, like innit which means isnt it, but they dropped the s and t and added a n.

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British Slang in different culturesBritish slang is only used, as the name suggests, in Britain.Typically, when a individual or family leave England, they adapt to the slang of the local place but the accent may stay the same.Because of this, British slang typically only stays in England.

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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 humans 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.

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Connection between context and content.With British Slang, different words are used depending on the place they are said or placed. For example, a word such as geezer wouldnt be said by a grandchild to their grandfather. It would be seen as rude or offensive, whereas it may be used in a comic because it could be seen as a joke, its in a different context. Throughout this PowerPoint, I have learnt how a variety of different words can be misinterpreted if they are taking out of context.

My OpinionOver the course of researching British slang, I have come to learn more words and phrases than I knew before, and, common words like chav, bangers and dosh I had heard plenty of times before.It has also showed me how different British slang has become overtime, and how as the slang is passed through different generations, the words are swapped, shortened and muddled up to produce something new for everyone to start saying. Cockney Rhyming slang surprised me the most because of how unfamiliar it was to me and how peculiar it was.

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Bibliography ListBritish Slang Words, Essortment, viewed 19th May, 2011 Barrow, M, British Sayings/Idioms, UK, viewed 22nd May, 2011 Google Definition, Chav, viewed 25th May, 2011 Say what? A parents' guide to UK teenage slang, BBC News, viewed 25th May 2011What is cockney rhyming slang? Cockney Rhyming Slang, viewed 25th May, 2011Hints and Things, Examples of sentence using cockney rhyming slang, viewed 2nd June, 2011 Just So Me Lyrics, Only Falls and Horses Theme Tune Lyrics, viewed June 2nd, 2011 http://www.justsomelyrics.com/761972/Only-Fools-and-Horses-Theme-Tune-Lyrics

By Harry BeresfordTHE END / FINNIE!