10 + Best British Slang Starting With S

By @bestSlanges

As you are familiar with, British slang differs a lot depending on the conditions and whom you are working with. We’ve compiled a list of many different kinds of best British slang starting with S in this article. Now, you can learn their actual meanings. 

Let’s now explore some amazing, relatively rare, and seldom-noticed British English vocabulary. 

What Does Salty Mean In British Slang?

In British slang, Salty means having an intense salt taste.

Other Meanings

  • Salty in British slang also refers to someone angry or upset, even if this seems unreasonable.
  • Salty is often used critically in a humorous way in British terms.
  • It also means cursing and being rude (i.e., using rude and disrespectful language)
  • Someone bitter or dissatisfied over anything is said to be salty.
  • Salting is also related to things that have anything to do with marine life.
  • Someone who is strengthened by experiences is also referred to as salty
  • It’s often used to mean someone who is extremely protective, sensitive, or inflexible, especially in response to real insults or objections.

Origin Of Salty

‘Salty’ began to refer to many various areas of military life and society by the late 1800s. Because sailors were renowned for using colorful language, the term “salty” later came to refer to impolite speech along with intense anger.

The word “salty” was first used in US slang in 1938. It keeps the same significance as it does now, to be furious and annoyed. The idea of someone shedding “salty” tears is from which the word originates.

Synonyms For Salty

  • In terms of salt taste

Briny, tart, sharp, salty, piquant, over-salted,  saliferous, sour, saline, sharp-tasting, flavourful and savory.

  • In terms of rude

Ungenerous, abrupt, insensitive, uncivil, impolite, arrogant, pert, saucy, impudent, impertinent, brusque, curt, unmannerly, without culture, learning, refinement, illiterate peasants., thoughtless, discourteous, blunt frank, and inconsiderate.

  • In terms of dissatisfied

Disgruntled, disputable, angry, disoriented, disenchanted, dismayed, upset, distressed, unhappy, sadness, bitterness, crabby, critical, ennui, envious, faultfinding, fed-up, fretful, grumpy, insatiable, jealous, malcontent, malcontent, not happy and frustrated

  • In terms of marine life

Littoral, nautical, oceanic, sea, seafaring, seashore, seaside, shore, maritime, underwater, pelagic, naval, deep-sea, deepwater, ocean-going, and seagoing.

Salty Usage As an Example

  • Consuming salty milk proved to reduce cramps in workers.
  • The breaches must spread enough for hot, salty water to remain on top of colder, fresher water for salt touching to happen.
  • The fruit’s sweetness balances with the ham’s saltiness.
  • Keep in mind that the meat is already highly salted, making it a flavor to taste.
  • I have no idea why she is behaving so salty
  • I refused to go to dinner with him, so he became salty with me.
  • Her salty humor surprises colleagues and students.
  • Although he admits the fact that there is more swearing in public at present, he argues that salty language is not something new.

What Does Safe Mean In British Slang?

In British slang, safe means something that is not at risk or not likely to be hurt.

Other Meanings

  • Safe means absolute security, free from harm or damage
  • In terms of location, this British slang safe refers to the place where theft or loss of goods is hardly likely
  • A political organization that has won the seat in previous elections is expected to win it if the official position elected is safe
  • When a player is safe in baseball, it means they have managed to get to one of the bases which are the positions needed to score a point. This happens before they are tagged by an opponent or just before the ball is tossed to a player protecting the base.

Origin Of Safe

The term “safe” initially appeared in use during the Middle English era from 1150—1500. Around 1250, the first written records of safes were uncovered. In final form, it derives from the Latin word salvus, which means “whole” or “intact.”

However, the most ancient evidence for safe in the Oxford English Dictionary goes back to MS Hunterian 95, which was written before 1425.

Synonyms For Safe

  • In terms of security or free from damage

Defense, safety, wall, weapon, ammunition, shield, airworthiness, as safe as a house, biosafety, being free of harmful substances, having a sheltered life, health, and safety.

Impervious, impermeable to harm, potable, sound, snug, precautions, surveillance, safety measures, carefully kept, roadworthy, unscathed, unbruised, unthreatening, and untouchable

  • In terms of cabinet

Pantry, drawer, cupboard, larder, cuddy, coatroom, cloakroom, buttery, coatroom,  container, box, trunk, chest, container, vault, niche, cubicle, cubbyhole, baggage compartment, case. 

  • In terms of confidential

Closed or sealed source, protected, covertness, dark, furtiveness, hiding, hush, hypnotic, privileged, quiet, secret, exclusive, top-secret, restricted, non-public, unofficial, off the record, classified,  hush-hush, private, classified, personal, unknown, esoteric, intimate, nonpublic, privileged, secured, safeguarded, preserved, anonymous, unidentified and intimate.

Safe Usage As Examples

  • Experts seem unlikely to be ready to agree on the drug’s safety.
  • After dusk, it is not safe for one to leave the house.
  • When Richard rides me, I never feel secure.
  • Continue far away from the area; it may not be safe.
  • We need to choose a safe method of implementation.
  • My birthday often goes unnoticed by him, so it’s safe that this time over, he won’t remember it, too.

What Does Sausage Mean In British Slang?

In British slang, sausage is used to address someone with affection, especially a youngster.

Other Meanings

  • Sausage is a thin, tube-shaped container that holds minced meat blended with spices.
  •  Sausage usually means a typical cylindrical portion of flesh made from appetizingly bloody animal parts. Humans commonly consume it to increase their energy intake, but some crazy people prefer to smoke it for personal pleasure.
  • In British terms, sausage also means to have guys surrounding you from all sides.
  • The act of fooling someone into thinking something exists even though it doesn’t is also a sausage.

Origin Of Sausage

The British term sausage was first recorded in the English language in the middle of the fifteenth century and originated as sawsyge. This sawsyge word came from old North French saussiche (Modern French saucisse or saucis), which in turn came from the Latin word salsica from Latin salsus (seasoned with salt)

Synonyms For Sausage

  • In terms of sausage dish

Andouille, barbecued andouillette, baloney, corn dog, chorizo, cocktail, beef burgers, croquette, linguica, knackwurst, knockwurst, liver loaf, saveloy, slidersnag, stuffing, thüringer, banger, snag, bologna, wiener, link, wurst, banger, weiner, salami, kielbasa, pepperoni, and 

Frankfurter.

  • In terms of youngster

Adolescent, junior, juvenile, minor, pubescent, teenybopper, child, fry, kid, minor, nestling, nipper, shaver, small fry, tiddler, tike, tyke, teenager, cub, youth, chick, lad, boy, youth, schoolboy, stripling, kiddy, youngling, kiddie, kiddo,  baby and bud.

Sausage Usage As Examples

  • She cut off a sausage piece.
  • Sausages should be cooked for ten minutes.
  • The cafe serves delicious homemade meals, including sausages cooked from pork.
  • We provide many kinds of sausages, such as pepperoni and salami.
  • You’ll find a lot of meat in the sausages.
  • I was so sausaged that I had no way to enjoy myself at the concert.

What Does Scooby Mean In British Slang?

In British slang, Scooby means something that uncovers a mystery or resolves a problem.

Other Meanings

  • Scooby means to have an idea. It is a rhyming Slang as Cockney. Scooby means A hint that provides some knowledge or insight. 
  • Scooby is another term used for Scooby Doo. Scooby Doo is an invented, human-looking, cowardly dog from a children’s cartoon that is used for making up images from the show.

Origin Of Scooby

The term “Scooby” was first used in the 1990s, according to data. Scooby was first mentioned by the Oxford English Dictionary in the Glasgow Herald in 1993. In English, scooby gets its name through snipping or shortening.

Synonyms For Scooby

Hints, indications, signs, signals, pointers, guides, recommendations, notifications, traces, evidence, take the lead, advice, hint-off, piece of proof, informational items, clues, cues, notion, suggestion, inkling, and lead

Scooby Usage As Examples

  • Whatever you’re discussing, I have no scooby doo about it. 
  • She tries everything she can, but she doesn’t have a scooby doo literally
  • He does not have any Scooby how to handle matters with kids
  • It was A type of Scooby-Doo ending, Oogie Boogie turned out to be Dr. Finkelstein in costume.
  • Besides, if you are a parent, you might be familiar with her roles in the real-life Scooby-Doo films as Velma.

What Does Scouse Mean In British Slang?

In British slang, Scouse is an individual who is either from or resides in Liverpool, the northern part of England. 

Other Meanings

  • Scouse, also referred to as Merseyside English or Liverpool English, is an English dialect and accent specific to Liverpool and its surrounding Liverpool City Area.
  • Scouse also means a stew or baked meal prepared mostly of hardtack and meat.

Origin Of Scouse

The term “scouse” is derived from the contraction of  “lobscouse,” which originated first in 1830-40. It belongs to a stew of the same name that is often eaten by sailors and is related to the Danish labskovs, Swedish lapskojs, Norwegian lapskaus, and Low German labskaus. 

Poorer people of Liverpool, Birkenhead, Bootle, and Wallasey in the 19th century commonly ate scouse because it was an affordable meal that was popular with sailor families. They were commonly referred to as “scousers” by visitors.

Synonyms For Scouse

Woolyback, Liverpudlian, Merseyside, liverpooler, Aberdeen, Aberdonian, Abidjan, Abuja, Bridgetown, Brisbane, Bristol and Brno 

Scouse Usage As Examples

  • A trip to Liverpool would only be complete with enjoying a hot plate of scouse.
  • Would somebody out there who knows Scouse be willing to assist us in translating this video?
  • She still has a Scouse accent when she talks.
  • Loolowcan approves of a scouse of moist biscuits, too.
  • We requested the captain to keep an eye on the scouse pan while we contacted him.
  • Ask that the lazy Portuguese prepare some dessert and tell them to prepare some bread scouse for the team.

What Does Screw Mean In British Slang?

In British slang, screw means sexual act itself or a partner involved in it. 

Other Meanings

  • A screw is a narrow, pointed piece of metal that is usually used to attach wood pieces that have a flat top with an opening in it and a raised edge that twists around its length.
  • Screw means a twisting or turning action used to tighten or fasten something.
  • A screw is a term particularly used by prisoners termed as a jail warden
  • Screw means to contract the muscles in your face, or a specific part of it, to express a certain emotion, such as pain or disapproval
  • A screw is to forcefully twist and crush something with your hands, especially paper or cloth.

Origin Of Screw

The British term screw was first recorded in use during the Middle English era during 1150—1500. However, the earliest known use of screw in the Oxford English Dictionary originates in 1404.

Due to a similarity with the corkscrew-shaped penis of a pig, the Middle English screw appears to have come from Old French escroue (“nut, cylindrical socket, screw-hole”), from Latin scrōfa. Additionally, the Middle English word “screw” is derived from the Old Dutch scrūva (“screw”), which is the source of the Middle Dutch schruyve (“screw”).

Synonyms For Screw

  • In terms of screw nuts

Bolt, hobnail, nail, nut, rivet, thread and wing nut

  • In terms of jail warden

Warder, jailor, corrections officer, warden, guard keeper, prison officer, custodian, sentry, jailor, screw, turnkey

  • In terms of fastening

Bolt, lock, secure, make fast, chain, seal, buckle, join, do up, connect, couple, close, unite, link, lace (up),  attach, affix, tie, glue, connect, strap, clip, granny knot, half hitch. Harness, hobble, hogtie, stake, strap, strap someone in, strap something up, strop, tack, tape something up and bend

  • In terms of showing disapproval by facial expression

Frown, scowl, glower, glare, lour, look sullen, make a face, look daggers, give someone black looks, knit/furrow one’s brows, scowling, glaring, glowering, lowering, louring, sullen, grimace, scowl, mouth, smirk, pout, moue, face and lour

Screw Usage As Examples

  • The shelf was screwed to the wall by me.
  • Fasten any loose boards with screws.
  • He screwed his features into a fake-pain appearance.
  • Furthermore, screwing the customer is the extra charge.
  • They say he is screwing the boss’s spouse.
  • Even though it’s not my ideal work, the screw is sufficient for me.

What Does Scrub Mean In British Slang?

In British slang, scrub means to forcefully clean anything to wash it, especially using water, soap, and a hard brush.

Other Meanings

  • Scrub, in British terms, means If you decide not to carry out a planned action.
  • Scrub also means a region of landscape covered with low-quality, dry dirt with small trees and plants growing on it.
  • Scrub is a material that is used to clean and soften skin, usually one that is somewhat rough and removes dead skin cells.
  • Scrub also means to remove unfavorable internet content about someone or something to remove it from social media or official records.
  • Scrub means household pets that are not crossed-bred

Origin Of Scrub

Since the 1500s, the term “scrub” has been used as a synonym for an “insignificant or contemptible person.” Throughout the past, the term has been used as a negative label for degrading Black people as well as prostitutes. 

Athletes used scrubs to make jokes about their less talented rivals in the late 1800s. The word comes from a type of bush. The term scrub, according to word professionals, originates from the Middle Low German word scrubbed, and it also means “to scrub.”

Synonyms For Scrub

  • In terms of cleaning

Brush someone/something off, cleaner, cleanse, cleanse, groom, hoover, mop, pick, pick someone/something up, purification, purifier, rinse, sponge, spring-cleaning, squeegee, steam-clean, sterilizing and sweep will.

  • In terms of cancelling the plan

Interrupt, break, break off, cut off, cut short, delay, discontinue, disturb, halt, heckle, hinder, hold up, impede, prevent, punctuate, stop,  intrusive, meddling, nosy, pushy, bother, cut in, add, interpose, break-in, chip in, contribute, chime in and put in.

Scrub Usage As Examples

  • I scrubbed my body while I sat at the water pump.
  • I use just a little water when I clean my teeth and scrub my face every day.
  • Before doing surgery, surgeons started scrubbing their hands and forearms with water and soap.
  • The halls have been completely scrubbed
  • I needed to scrub my stove after the container of tomato sauce split.

What Does See Ya Mean In British Slang?

See Ya in British slang is a contracted form for See You later. It is often a farewell term to say goodbye to someone. ‘See you,’ ‘be meeting you,’ and see you later are phrases of departure used when you expect an upcoming meeting.

Origin Of See Ya

The British term See Ya first appeared in writing around 1325 and 1375. The origin of it is the term farewell from Middle English. 

Synonyms For See Ya

Goodbye, farewell, so long, ta ta, toodle, catch you later,  peace out, ta-ra, shalom, cheerio, and cheers

See Ya Usage As Examples

  • Alright. Love, I’ll see you later and then talk about it
  • Now is not the time for chit-chat. I’ll see you later.
  • I replied, “No, you don’t understand. I must see you later”.
  • “Well, see you later.” “Yeah, I’m going to meet you tomorrow.”
  • I asked to see you later alone, just this reason in mind. With his hand holding the back of his chair tightly, Pavane waited.

What Does Swivel Mean In British Slang?

In British slang, swivel means to have somebody turn around because they want to face in a different direction at a central point. You very quickly look in that way if your head or your pupils swivel in that direction or if you actively swivel them in that direction.

Other Meanings

  • A swivel is a linkage mechanism that allows unrestricted rotation of an attached object.
  • It is also a device like a compound link in a chain made up of two separate rotating components.
  • Swivel also means a pivot that can be used to swing a weapon in the horizontal direction from side to side. 

Origin Of Swivel

Swivel is derived from the Middle English word swive, which refers to sweep. It’s frequently used to refer to gun mountings, such as ones on boats or tanks where the gun is safe yet still allows for a full range of motion. Still, humans are able to swivel.

Synonyms For Swivel

Pivot, axle, spindle, hinge, axis, fulcrum, pin, hub, kingpin, gudgeon, trunnion, turn, spin, swing, rotate, revolve, twirl, whirl, wheel and gyrate.

Swivel Usage As Examples

  • Kennedy swiveled in his chair.
  • He swiveled his face in Jack’s direction.
  • They would have behaved better if they had swiveled around.
  • Why can’t they be swiveled around?
  • She swiveled her chair around and looked out over the backyard’s grass.
  • His chairs are able to swivel yet they cannot raise or drop.

What Does Suss Mean In British Slang?

Suss, in British slang, means to become aware of, understand, or learn something.

Other Meanings

  • In British terms, suss means to understand the goals or qualities of another person.
  • When you figure out a person or thing, you come to deal with their true nature or personality.

Origin Of Suss

The word “suss” is just a contraction of the phrase “to suspect.” The term evolved to include by the late 1950s. In Britain, the phrase “suss out” first appeared in the 1960s. Around 1953, “suss” became popular as police and underworld jargon in the United Kingdom, meaning “to accuse a person of a crime.” 

Synonyms For Suss

Take in, understand, crack, realize, receive, remember, make out, catch on to, figure out, brains, intelligence, mind, reason, understanding, sense, capacity, astuteness, smarts, wit, shrewd , sharp , astute, acute, canny, worldly-wise and knowing. 

Suss Usage As Examples

  • Chris enjoys football, as you may have undoubtedly figured out by now.
  • They are sussing the area to find out the level of police presence.
  • He suss his coworkers well and is aware of whom to trust.
  • I was trained to check out exactly what he was thinking. 
  • Someone like him is easy for any bartender to suss on.

What Does Stroppy Mean In British Slang?

In British slang, A stroppy is a person who has a short temper and gets angry or offended with others. Something or someone difficult to manage or impose control over.

Origin Of Stroppy

The term originated in Latin in 1600 and was derived from obstreperous “drown with noise, make a noise against, oppose noisily.  However, it is only found in Latin and Germanic.

Synonyms For Stroppy

Ellicose, contentious, pugnacious, quarrelsome, aggressive,  antagonistic, belligerent, combative, hostile, irritable, touchy, bad-tempered, bundle of nerves, cantankerous, captious, choleric, crabbed, cranky, defiant, fierce, ferocious, nasty, surly cross, peevish,  irritable, sour, peppery, grouchy, grumpily, testily, ungracious and churlish

Stroppy Usage As Examples

  • A mother I know was experiencing a lot hard time dealing with her teenage son’s stroppy attitude.
  • I’m going from here to start getting stroppy with the gas company because they haven’t called to fix the cooker. 
  • Its Chief Executives can be as stroppy as its workers.
  • He had to pick up his social nature on the job and became famous for being stroppy and defensive for a long period.
  • He became really stroppy when I rejected him.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have examined the best British slang starting with S. We’ve provided you with a few examples and synonyms to help you better understand them. And if you stay with us up to the very end, we hope that this information has improved your life. If you have any further slang ideas for us to write about, please leave a comment below.

Leave a Comment