20 Best British Slang Start With D

If you are an anglophile passionate about discovering new terms and cultural ethics used in daily British life. Then you are at the right place. In this article, we will discover all the british slangs started with A whether used in formal and informal conversation.

British Slang also evolved like other languages due to linguistic changes or from city or country. So, do not waste time dig in and find some perfect gem for yourself.

1-What does “Daft” Mean in British Slang?

In Britain, the word “daft” (adjective) means silly or foolish. If a person lacks common sense, judgment, or stupidity then he is refered to as Daft in british slangs. Not have the ability to make an effective or good decision. In an informal way daft means a simple person.

Origin of Draft:

“Daft” originates from Middle English and is tracked back to old English gedæfte. Due to the versatility and linguistic shits meaning of the daft change from mild, well-mannered, or gentle person to foolish, silly, or nonserious person.

Synonyms of Draft:

Unwise, idiotic, foolhardy, ill-conceived, risible, laughable, imprudent, ludicrous, ridiculous, nonsensical, senseless, pointless, simple-minded, cretinous, moronic, birdbrained, slow, witless, unworkable, crazy, dumb, weird, unrealistic, bizarre.

Examples of Draft:

Are you daft?
Michael was a daft in our team project.
Sara loses 10 kg without following any daft diet routine.
Don’t be daft man.
Your idea is pretty much daft by the way.

2- What Does “Da Bomb” Mean in British Slang?

The slang “Da Bomb” means excellent, the best, awesome, or good. If a person impresses or wants to praise someone without using regular phrases like you look awesome. By using slang they can say you look like Da Bomb.

Origin of Da Bomb:

The exact origin is still unclear. But you can hear the slang for the first time in Spike Lee’s movie Clockers by a lead character in 1995. The Da part shows enthusiasm and impressiveness. The term is officially used 1 year ago in the book Black Talk.

Synonyms of Da Bomb:

Supreme, foremost, top, finest, premier, chief, superlative, jewel in the Crown, elite, choicest, leading, principal, most prudent, most suitable, incomparable, a cut above the rest, most sensible, exceptional, matchless, unparallel.

Examples of Da Bomb:

Michael’s bachelor party was da bomb.
We had lunch in the restaurant but their service was not like da bomb.
The next episode of the show is da bomb.
Do you see Sarah’s new car it is like da bomb.
What about your interview? It was like da bomb.

3- What Does “Def Out” Mean In British Slang?

We can describe the slang “Def Out” in two ways;

To ignore someone, not listening to what the other person said
Outdated, out of fashion, no longer in, unfashionable

Origin of Def Out:

Def out is used in old English communities, depending on the context. It is most probably used in the British urban environment, where there is more slang for fashion and styles.

In the fashion sense: OUT is used to make prominent or emphasize that something is not in the current fashion. DEF is used as the abbreviation of definitely to make sure.

In conversation: Def out means to ignore someone even though you’re listening to the person.

Synonym of Def Out:

Disregard, neglect, shoulder, turn a blind eye too, snub, shut your eyes, taking no notice, paper over, dismiss, look over, outmoded, former, worn, musty, out of style, bygone, Medival, clunky, mouldy.

Examples of Def Out:

In Fashion Context:

These frocks are def out no one wears a frock with too many flares.
These techniques are def out.
TV is def out now everyone uses LCDs in their homes.

In Conversation:

Michael is always def out when I try to talk to him.
Why are you def out and not focusing on the class?
Why are you behaving like def out and not responding to my calls and messages?
Why are you def out and not making eye contact with the teacher?

4- What Does “Dead Chuffed” Mean In British Slang?

Chuffed dead means very pleased, delightful, happy, and gratified. If you are very grateful and pleased about something you are dead chuffed.

Origin of Dead Chuffed:

The phrase dead chuffed is an idiomatic expression to show eagerness or how pleased a person is. The chuffed originates from the Northern English dialect where chuff means fat, healthy. If a person is healthy it means he has all the things that he wants. He is pleased, delightful, and not starving.

Dead is used as an intensifier to show how hard or extreme. The whole phrase dead chuffed evolved with time and its meaning shows the level of satisfaction, pride, and happiness.

Synonym of Dead Chuffed:

Lovely, pleasurable, agreeable, thrilling, enjoyable, gratifying, splendid, fabulous, good, great, fantastic, smashing, brilliant, out of the World, champion, satisfying, couthy, top-hole.

Examples of Dead Chuffed:

I am dead chuffed about the test results.
Doctors were dead chuffed when they finally discovered the virus vaccine.
Michael was dead chuffed when he finally met his mother.
I will be dead chuffed if my son wins the competition he worked hard day and night for this competition.
The child was dead chuffed when he received a remote car.

5-What Does “Daps” Mean In British Slang?

The slang Daps refers to trainer footwear, athletic shoes, sneakers, or sports shoes. It is an informal slang used in casual conversation. Daps are related to fashion footwear that looks stylish, attractive, and neat. It is most commonly used in youngsters and sports-related social circles.

Origin of Dap:

The word Dap originates from Dapper which refers to a fashionable stylish person, neat in appearance. Over time the slang became shortened and converted into Daps refers to shoes or footwear that are attractive and neat in appearance. Slangs are the words that are popular in different social communities and groups. Daps is now in the mouth of youth and sports social circles.

Synonym of Dap:

Gym shoes, sand shoes, footgear, runners, cleats, boot, tennis shoes, cross-trainers, hightoops, gumshoes, plimsolls, tackies, running shoes, basketball shoes.

Examples of Dap:

Your Daps are too cool Dude.
Yesterday I bought my new daps for the marathon.
If you will get full marks in the test then we will buy new daps for you.
My new daps are very comfortable for walking.
From where do you buy these daps?

6-What Does “Dead Cert” Mean In British Slang?

The slang Dead Cert means a sure thing, something that is quite to happen, something that is very likely. In simple words, dead cert refers to something that is going to happen. It is used to express strong confidence and belief in the outcomes of any situation.

It is used in an informal conversation to emphasize strong belief and trust.

Origin of Dead Cert:

The origin of the British slang dead cert comes from horse racing. In horse racing, the word cert refers to the horse that is probably or certain to win the race.

Dead is used to emphasize and to give surety about the outcomes. With time the word cert is used broader beyond the horse world in informal conversation.

Synonyms of Dead Cert:

Doubtlessly, beyond any doubt, plainly, unquestionable, unequivocally, clearly, absolutely, surely, finally, indubitably, without fail, without question, anticipated, forthcoming, subsequent, impending, deserving, fated, marked, instant.

Examples of Dead Cert:

I am dead cert that she will be the team captain.
Based on the people’s opinions it’s dead cert that Imran Khan will win the elections.
With his good grades, it is a dead cert that she will get the scholarship to the University.
I am dead cert JK will win the award.
Are you dead cert the weather will remain smooth for the whole week.

7- What Does “DIY” Mean In British Slang?

The word “DIY” means do it yourself, do your work on your own, self-reliance, independent or self-dependent. It is used in both narrow and broader contexts. In a narrow context means to do projects and other tasks by yourself rather than hiring professionals.

People can learn new techniques, methods, and approaches to be independent. Everyone becomes creative, independent, and hard-working rather than hiring professionals for every work.

Origin of DIY:

The roots of DIY were seen back in the 1950s when it became a trend. People do most of their work on their own including home decoration, crafting, and other home decoration ideas. It is a British slang but it is also popular in many other English-speaking countries. Mostly it includes doing things by hands or repairing things.

Synonym of DIY:

Handcrafted, handmade, homemade, self-sufficient, autonomous, autorick, independent, unassisted, single-handedly, homebrew, homespun, improvise, self-made, homegrown, self-reliant.

Examples of DIY:

My sister loves DIY we decided to renovate our kitchen in the coming weekend.
Inspired by the designer dress I decided to DIY dress by buying fabric and other accessories from a local market.
My father changed the look of the garden by DIY-ing With new plants, benches, and lights.
Instead of buying snacks, we prefer DIY-ing home-based snacks that are clean and customized according to the flavor and taste we like.

8- What Does “Dive” Mean In British Slang?

The British slang “Dive” refers to a place that is not very nice, undesirable place, disrepute, dark, bad, low quality, or uncleanliness.

We can use the slang in two contexts;

To describe a place which is not good or a very low-quality place e.g that restaurant was dive.
To describe a situation or circumstances e.g. my job is like dive. In this example, the person is explaining the situation of the job which is not good, not giving a good salary and not even fulfilling their requirements.

Origin of Dive:

The slang Dive emerges in the 19th century and early 20th. It basically comes from Sailors and seafarers’ language who used the word to refer the notorious run-down drinking locations in port towns. Later on, it is frequently used for other rough characters or sailors for their low-quality or cheap alcohol, bad atmosphere, and questionable practices.

Overall Dive originated to refer to the low quality, disreputable, and decline in reputation establishments or places.

The phrase was first time documented in July 1871 in the New York Herald. Again appeared in 1882 and 1883 in Harper’s Magazine (“opium-smoking dives”).

Synonym of Dive:

Awful, cheap, dreadful, lousy, bummer, rough, unacceptable, downer, junky, synthetic, imperfect, gross, inferior, junky, gross, dissatisfactory, faulty, deficient, defective, unsuitable, regrettable, tedious, bog-standard.

Examples of Dive:

For a place:

Avoid going outside in the dark; it is totally dive in the forest.

Yesterday we went to Michael’s birthday party but it was dive.

The cafe looks dive from the outside but the food and service are really good.

During traveling I have to stay in a hotel which is Dive for their services.

To describe the situation or circumstances:

My job is dive I want to quit.

We had an official meeting in a club but the location was dive.

Sarah worked hard for the competition but the instructor was dive.

9- What Does “Dead Weight” Mean In British Slang?

The word Dead Weight means lazy, unproductive, not workable, unhelpful, or slow person.

It describes a person who is a burden on team members or the workforce not doing any work. But also a burden for them to carry. In another context, we can also say any situation or circumstance dead weight that burdens or slows down things.

Origin of Dead Weight:

The exact pinpoint of the slang dead weight is not clear. But it emerged in the 20th century. As inanimate things hinder the progress or movement while dragging. Same as dead weight resembles an unproductive and lazy person.

Synonym of Dead Weight:

Inactive, sluggish, torpid, listless, dull, slack, slow, heavy, enervated, impassive, otiose, faineant, leisurely, do nothing, negligent, lax, bone idle, plodding, indolent, dull, work-shy, heavy, sleepy, tired.

Examples of Dead Weight:

Michael was like dead weight for the whole team during the chemistry project.
The computer in the admin office is dead weight slow down day by day.
I want to go gym to reduce my dead weight and maintain my figure and weight.
Their relationship is dead weight because both of them demotivate each other with their negativity.
Some people are a dead weight they do not want to do hard work but expect too much salary.

10- What Does “Do” Mean in British Slang?

The slang Do has different meanings in different contexts. It is an informal slang that everyone can use in their casual conversation.

Social: In the socializing circle DO means going to any party, event, wedding, or gathering.

Informational: Asking or requesting someone for any information.

Drug: Involved in the illegal supply of drugs.

Acceptable: Meet standards or sufficient requirements. Something happened according to your plan and satisfied.

Origin of Do:

The slang DO originate From Middle English don, from Proto-Germanic doną, from Proto-West Germanic don,from Old English dōn, from Proto-Indo-European dʰeh₁- (“to put, place, do, make”).

It can be used in any negative, interrogative, and affirmative sentences. The first time Do was recorded in modern English and over time due to changes in linguistics the meaning and context also changed.

Synonym of Do:

Carry out, undertake, bring about, finish, deport oneself, accomplish, achieve, implement, complete, behave, perpetrate.
Gathering, function, event, party, wedding, jump up, social function, socializing, reception, affair, social gathering.

Examples of Do:

Do you get my point?
Do you allow me to access the secret information?
Students were caught doing drugs at the party.
Tomorrow we will go to Michael and Olivia’s wedding do.
I hope you will do a great effort and make us proud.

11- What Does “Dhoby” Mean In British Slang:

The word Dhoby typically refers to a place where laundry services are done. This slang is widely used in the British Military.

Dohby means washerman, clothes washer, laundry man, to wash, or clean. A person who is doing laundry. The powder which is used in laundry is called laundry dust.

Origin of Dhoby:

The roots of the word Dhoby are found from 1858-1947 when the British Military was present in India in the era of Raja Maharaja. Dohby word originates from the Indian word Dhobi which refers to a person washing clothes with old methods on rivers or using large stone slabs. When the British soldiers returned to their country they took many slang words with them Dhoby is one of them. It is not most widely used in their modern English but remains as slang in their military jargon.

Synonym of Dhoby:

Cloth washer, doing laundry services, Dhobi, laundry man.

Examples of Dhoby:

In the Military, there is a Dhoby for the laundry of their uniforms.
In hostels, you have to pay Doby for the laundry otherwise you have to do it by yourself.
She dropped the clothes to Dhoby for laundry and picked them up after one day.
Michael worked as Dhoby for many years.
Don’t you worry dhobi will wash and iron the clothes in time.

12- What Does “Diabolical” Mean In British Slang?

The word diabolical means unpleasant, disgraceful, bad, outragious, abominable. It can used in different contexts based on the situation. People use it to describe or explain the highly unfavorable and poor quality of a thing or a situation.

Origin of Diabolical:

The slang Diabolical originates from the Latin word Diabolos which is also derived from Diabolos which means Slanderer (a person damages a reputation by making false statements about them). It entered the English language in the late 15th century and early 16th through old French. With time it is associated with British connotations and used as a colorful way to express the unpleasant and disgracefulness.

Synonym of Diabolical:

Nasty, disgraceful, distasteful, disgusting, annoying, uncomfortable, distressing, obnoxious, miserable, objectionable, repulsive, off-putting, vexatious, troublesome, annoying, irritating, inedible.

Examples of Diabolical:

The food was good but the service was diabolical.
He has a diabolical voice.
She looks diabolically at us.
The queue in the University bank was too long I had to wait for three hours for fee submission.
The situation of the hospital was diabolic, there was no doctor on duty

13- What Does “Deffo” Mean In British Slang?

Deffo is an informal British slang that means exactly, right, no question, no doubt, or certainly no doubt. It is an abbreviation of definitely to show confirmation or agreement without any doubt. People can use this slang with their friends or in casual conversation. But it is not used in formal or official statements.

Origin of Deffo:

The origin of Deffo traces back to the 1940s from Australia. In Australia, it is used as an exclamation and alternative to definitely.

Synonym of Deffo:

For sure, certainly, undeniably, undoubtedly, irrefutably, patently, obviously, clearly, without fail, needless to say, unequivocally, categorically, easily, decidedly, as sure eggs is egg, of course, as might be expected, natch, absolutely, by all means, with pleasure, natural.

Examples of Deffo:

Will you come to the birthday party tonight? Deffo
The coffee at the cafe was really good. Deffo
Have you submitted the assignment to the teacher? No, but I would deffo submit it tomorrow.
Deffo JK will win the Singer of the Year award tonight.
What about your plan for the trip to Hunza? Deffo we are going next week.

14- What Does “Demic” Mean In British Slang?

The slang Demic has different meanings depends where it has been used.

A thing that is broken or worn out
For pandemic conditions / pandemic measure
A person who is sick, someone who is always sick or weak
Group of people or population

Origin of Demic;

The slang demic is borrowed from a Greek word. The roots were found in 1898-1905 and had dielectric meaning. Demic emerges from the potato disease (from Yorkshire, Nottingham, and Lincoln dialects). Over time the meaning evolved and also defined a person who is sick or has an emergency condition.

Synonym of Demic:

Pandemic condition:

Pervasive, rampant, universal, widespread, global, common, catholic, regular, general, generic, whole, all over.

Not well health condition:

Indisposed, unwell, ill, nauseous, off-color, off, green around the grills, crook, travel sick, air sick, car sick, not oneself.

Group of people:

Association, band, body, gang, class, society, accumalation, crowd, company, bunch, troop, batch,assembly.

Examples:

Pandemic: Due to COVID there are demic conditions everywhere in the hospitals.

Useless: Your shirt condition is demic you need to buy a new one.

Group of People: Demic are migrating to another city.

Sick person: Michael is a demic due to his disease.

15-What Does “Damage” Mean In British Slang?

The slang damage has several meanings based on conditions that include;

Cost or expense, harm, injury, problem, trouble or spoil something.

Origin of Damage:

The word damage originates in British English from the old French word damage which is also derived from the Latin word Damanum which also means harm or loss. It is comparable to the modern French word dommage.

Synonym of Damage:

Vandalization, impairment, disfigurement, recompense, restitution, indemnification, repayment, redress, deface, mutilate, mangle, blight, desecrate, disfigure, accident, bruise, causality, destruction, offense, wound, trouble, injustice.

Examples of Damage:

Loss: the flood a lot of damage to the village.
Fire damaged everything in the factory.
Expense: This dress gave me great damage but it is pretty nice.
She called the waiter and asked what’s the damage.
Trouble: Due to his illegal activities Michael will be in great damage one day.
You should have to complete your project otherwise you will be damaged.

16- What Does “Dozy” Mean In British Slang?

In British slang Dizy is used in an informal way that means someone is slow to react, wants to sleep, drowsy, thinking or reacting slowly, not understanding things faster, or nooding. It is a light way to comment negative things to someone or tease them.

Origin of Dozy:

There are many theories about the origin of the word some of which say Doozy emerged as slang in the 1920s or early 20th century. It is derived from the word daisy which means good, excellent, remarkable, or exceptional. With the passage of time due to changes in linguistics, daisy should convert into the word Doozy.

Synonym of Dozy:

Smnolet, tired, lethargic, asleep on one’s feet, oscitant, inactive, yawny, torpid, heavy-eyed, tranquil, quiet.

Examples of Dozy:

Why are behaving doozy pay attention to the lecture.
I am feeling doozy due to lack of sleep.
After eating I am feeling doozy.
She had a car accident because she felt doozy during driving.
Sarah was a doozy student she needed time to get the point.

17- What Does “Deek” Mean In British Slang?

The British slang deek means;

To look
A glance
See
Having a quick look

It is most widely used in London and its surroundings.

Origin of Deek:

Deek originates from the Roman word Dik which means have a look or a glance at something. The word Dik was used by Roman or Gypsies people in their casual conversation.

Synonym of Deek:

Research, delve into, examine, scrutinize, seek, search, hunt, scout, travel, traverse, prospect, question, burrow, try, test, probe, turn inside out, gaze, glimpse, focus, perceive with attention, watch, see, view, observe, take in, espy, lay eyes on, gway.

Examples of Deek:

Let’s deek into the park hope we find something interesting.
She deek into my fridge to see is there anything to eat.
Give me a deek to the menu I am hungry.
Can I have deek at your picture?

18- What Does “Damp” Mean In British Slang?

The meaning of the slang damp includes;

wet, moist, water in the air, slightly wet, soaked.

It is used in a bad way to explain that something is wet. Someone is not pleased with and feels uncomfortable. E.g. Do not sit here the sofa is damp.

Not impressive, boring, tedious. E.g The lecture was so damp.

Origin of Damp:

Damp originates from the sense of moisture, wetness, or soaky things. Because moist things make an uncomfortable feel look unimpressive and not interested. Metaphorically over time, the meaning extends to something that is not good, lack of interest, dull or boring.

Synonym of Damp:

Dank, humid, wet, full of water, covered with liquid, muggy, soggy, rainy, watery, drizzly, ozy, dripping, dewy, sultriness, drizzle.

Examples of Damp:

I do not want to go outside because the weather is damp.
Why your clothes are damp.
Sara does not want to go to Michael’s party because he is so damp.
Her house was damp water was coming out of the ceiling.
My hair is still damped even though I washed them in the morning.

19- What Does “Devil Dogger” Mean In British Slang?

The slang Devi dogger means a very religious person. It refers to mostly chaplains, preaching persons, going to church regularly, or clergymen, especially a chaplain.

Origin of Devil Dogger:

The word shows that its niche is religious. Till the January update 2022, it is not the most widely used slang. But based on its meaning people use it religious point of view and mostly by military chaplains. The term was first time used in early 1971 and then in 1972 in writing of James Lackington a publisher and book seller also.

Synonym of Devil Dogger:

Worshiper, believer, pious, a person with strong faith, adherent, religious person, supporter, follower, devote, adherent, upholder, apostel, zealot.

Examples of Devil Dogger:

Michaelis a devil dogger.
Yesterday we met a military chaplain or you said Devil Doggeer.
You are going to church regularly are you a devil Dogger?

20– What Does “Dibs ” Mean In British Slang?

Dibs mean to claim, have rights, declare rights, ownership, control, or priority. It refers to someone who has the right, authority, or ownership to declare.

Origin of Dibs:

Dibs is derived from the child slang dibstones( pubbels or little stone) or dibby which refers to a game or position in the 18th century. It comes in modern English in the early 20th century.

Synonym of Dibs:

Maintain, state, declare, profess, move, affirm, hold, insist, lay to claim, aver, allege, assertion, declaration, profession, representation, submission, justify, solicit, adduce, hit, exact, announce, petition, plea, reclamation, prerogative, due, lien, call, case.

Examples of Dibs:

Oliva: Hy! See what a nice dress. I call dibs on it.

Sarah: yes it is but now it is mine because I dib it first.

JK: we want this apartment for our family.

Michael: sorry but my other client dib it first.

3- I have the right to taste the pizza first because I dib for it.

Final Verdict:

Based on different cultures in every country people use different slang words in their conversations. British Slang also evolved from their roots and has changed their meaning. From their origin, you are also able to know their background. And slang explanation with examples helps you to understand in a good way.

We hope today’s guide is helpful and makes it easy for you to understand and continue with your passion. For further British slang with different alphabets stay with us.

20 Best British Slang Start With “D”