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If you are an anglophile and have a passion for 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 phrases and slang used in formal and informal conversation.
Like other languages, British Slang also evolved due to linguistic changes or from city or country. So, do not waste time dig in and find some perfect gem for yourself.
The slang eager beaver refers to a person who is enthusiastic, eager to do hard work, a person who is willing to do extra work beyond what expected from him/her, one who is fervent to perform duties and responsibilities, shows eagerness or keness, one shows extra energy and excitement for work ( volunteer for their work to complete).
The term an eager beaver originated back in the 20th century. Eager is used to show enthusiasm, an unbelievable amount of energy or eagerness, and Beaver for a diligent, hard-working, and conscientious person.
This term became famous during World War II to refer to soldiers who were ready, enthusiastic, and eager to perform any task at any time. Over time this slang became popular and used to describe a person who is very hardworking and concerned about work.
Earful refers to anger, complaint, reprimand, admonition, or admonishment. Subjected to a forceful way to give advice or show criticism. A lengthy unwelcome speech, criticism, or stern talking. It is used to scold someone or a speech full of communication whether it is negative or positive. But most probably people consider it a colorful way to criticize or say negative things to someone.
The roots of the earful were tracked in the 1850s or mid-19s. It is derived from the old English root eare and the suffix full or ful. The first evidence of the use of this was recorded in 1858 in the writing of Walter Thornbury. It means ears are full not with physical items but with a lot of communication.
The slang Egyptian P.T. is used in two contexts. One is for Military use and the other for casual life.
Military use: In the military, it is used to refer to rest, sleep, nap, or an hour/ few minutes to do rest.
Casual Life: Casually people use the slang when someone leaves a party or social gathering without saying goodbye. Or departure from a place without informing.
Asked them to take a nap and rest in the shade. Rather than continue the training which makes them tired and exhausted at 100 degrees.
Military use:
Casual conversation:
The slang egghead means to refer to a person who is intelligent, extraordinary, over-intellectual, and highly educated but lacking social skills, common sense, and realism of life. These people have excessive knowledge, analyzing, and observing capabilities but they are not in touch with ordinary people. They do not have the basic knowledge of life.
The slang was at its peak in 1952 when journalists used it to insult editorial writers. Egghead was the epithet of Adlai Stevenson, the Democratic presidential candidate.
The slang epic means impressive, good, excellent, remarkable, or awesome. People use the term to express how much they like a thing or what it was.
If we see the roots of the word epic were different from the current meaning. It is derived from the Latin word epicus which also comes from the Ancient Greek adjective epikos, also derived from epos meaning story, poem, or film.
So in the earliest time in the heroic age if we use the word epic it comes with songs, words, or poems that were performed orally. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are the epics that survive to date. But it is not being copied, people learn them in oral form. Over time with linguistic changes, the meaning of epic evolved and changed.
As you can see from the word eco it refers to a person who is passionate, obsessive, and protective for the environment. An environmentalist, devoted to the environment, eco-friendly.
The slang ecofreak emerged in the 20th century. Eco comes from etymology and freak means a person who is passionate and extremely interested in something. It focuses on an excessively environment-conscious person who goes beyond societal norms and expectations.
The slang ear candy refers to a sound or music that is pleasant, enjoyable, melodious, or catchy. It refers to candy how sweet and enjoyable in taste. A pleasant music that satisfies and feels good to the ears. By listening to the music a person feels good and enjoyable but lacks depth.
The slang originated from 1980 to 1985 from the literal meaning of receiving information through one’s ear. In ancient times it was used to describe a significant amount of words or information directed to someone mostly in conversation. But over time the meaning of the slang evolved and referred to pop music or an amusing sound.
The slang El cheapo is used informally to refer to something inexpensive, cheap, inferior, or bad quality. It can be used in different scenarios based on the context attitude whether it is an object, individual, or service. It is commonly hilarity or the funniest slang used by British people.
The slang El Cheapo is a mixture of both Spanish and English words. l is borrowed from Spanish meaning The and Cheapo from English which means cheap or inexpensive. According to shreds of evidence, it was first used in the 1960s and second in 1967 in CB Buyers’ Guide.
For a person:
For a Service:
For thing:
Eleveness is an informal slang but it is not common in English. Most people use it in a specific group or community. It means a break for a snack, refreshment, to drink or eat a small amount before lunch and after breakfast, a short break at 11 O’clock.
The term eleveness was introduced in the mid-18th century. It was more common in 1849 when tea was more affordable in workplaces. Eleveness and fourzes were mentioned for the first time in Suffolk commentary on agriculture workers. With the simplicity of ritual people enjoy the elevness at around 11 O’clock. It is the plular form of eleven.
The term elbow grease refers to physical hard work, how much effort you put into a work. It is not specifically British slang but people also count it in slang. An idiomatic expression used to refer to the labor work, exertion of energy, and manual hard work required to accomplish a task. It means we cannot accomplish or complete our work without the involvement of physical effort.
If we travel back to 1672 the word Elbow Grease was first time used by poet Andrew Marvel in the satirical book about the English parliament. Marvell wrote: “Two or three brawny Fellows in a Corner, with mere Ink and Elbow-grease, do more Harm than a Hundred systematical Divines with their sweaty Preaching.”
In 1699 the term reappeared in the New Dictionary of the Canting Crew as desrisory means sweat.
Eh up is an informal way of greeting, saying hello, hi, hey, or what’s up. It is most widely used in Northern England, Lancashire, and Yorkshire. It is also used to express surprise, shock, or disbelief, notice means well, look who is that, what is that, etc.
Eh up originated from the Norse term ay up which is sometimes written as aye up, oh up, or ayup. Eh up means watch out and is an informal way of greeting. Over time with the changes in linguistic regions,ay up evolved to eh up. It belongs to Northern England, Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Ends is a British slang that refers to an area, place, neighborhood, a place from where a person belongs, or a geographical location. It is used to describe a place where someone spends most of his lifetime or a specific destination. In British slang, it can be used in a broader sense to locate a specific place or destination in a geographical area.
Ends originate from the Middle English word enden or endien which also originates from Old English endian means to end, finish, to make an end, destroy, abolish, an end. Endian also originated from the Prot Germani andijona a denomial term for andijiaz.
The term itself describes anything related to an egg like the unpleasant and irritating smell of an egg. It also describes the mood swings that someone feels irritated, uncomfortable, annoyed, frustrated, not any point of anger or slightly annoyed.
The term eggy originates from an egg-adding y in the 1930s. In early times it was used to refer qualities and characteristics that someone behaves like. But over time this informal slang describes a sour, unpleasant situation or mood swings. Now it is the common colorful way to express someone’s behaviour.
Eejit is an Irish slang particularly Ireland but it is most commonly used in British. Eejit means to say someone foolish, stupid, unintelligent, idiot, silly. People can use it humorously during casual or friend conversations.
It originated in mid of 19th century from the word ediot which is the pronunciation of idiot. There is no current spelling change in idiot from the 1950s. Eejit is an Irish slang from Irish English but is also used in British to refer to someone as idiot or stupid.
The slang exactmundos means exactly, comparable, without any doubt, confirmation, not comparable, precisely. It is an enthusiastic way to give confirmation or own something 100%. People use it as an intensifier in their confirmation and agreements to indicate that they are 100% agreed.
Exactmandous originated in the 1960s from the American slang. It is a mixture of two words exact means accurate and the Spanish word mandous. There is no defined meaning of mundous in Spanish but in English slang, it is used to emphasize or to add instinct. It is popular in American culture through TV shows and movies. It was the first time used in a TV show Sitcom Happy Days by the character Fonzie.
Jk: Exactmandous! We will go tomorrow.
Exactmandous let’s make sure we will be there as early as possible so we can grab a good study time altogether.
Exactmandous we are 100% own it because we are the owners of this cafe.
Earner is a British slang means to make money, a job, a business, a profitable income source, or a way to make money. It is an informal way to discuss money, finance, and jobs. People can refer to a person as an earner who works on daily wages or earns to survive or support his/her family.
Earner has roots in Old English. The verb earner has a straightforward origin which means earn money. Humans had a history of earning money to survive and also a natural way to define someone who does work and earns money.
In British slang, EMS refers to Emergency Medical Service. It is a word which is commonly used in English countries. But in simple words ems represent ambulance. A vehicle which is used to carry injured people.
The roots of EMS were tracked in World War I and World War II for emergency treatment of soldiers on the battlefield. During these circumstances, the military prepared special services and protocols for treating the soldiers in extreme conditions.
In 1966 (NHSA) the National Highway Safety Act played an important role by funding and providing training for standardized EMS services. In the mid of 20th century people learn techniques of EMS for civilian use. In the 1960s and 70s, several cities established EMS systems based on NHSA principles which include highly experienced paramedics and technology.
Erm is a simple British slang which is used in both formal and informal contexts. It is slang used as filler in speech, to take pause, express hesitation, or show uncertainty. By using this term people take a break to process their thoughts on what to say next. Erm is related to uhmm, uh or um.
As Erm is a speech filler it is verbally originated but its main origin is still unclear. It is used in different English-speaking countries weather in official or casual conversation. With linguistic changes and from country to country or area to area fillers changed from erm to um, er or ahh.
Well, I mean, you know, look, so, er, shall we say, um, ah, ahh, hrm.
Eton-mess refers to a British traditional dessert that is made of strawberries, whipped cream, bananas, and meringue. Mess is used based on the appearance of the dessert or the ingredient from which it is formed. It is only used to refer to the dessert there is no other meaning of this slang.
The word etton-mess originates from the name of eton-college an English boarding school. It was first time served in 1890 in cricket matches. In 1930 the desert was commonly served on school tuck shop.
The slang emo refers to a person who listens to emo music ( pop music full of people’s emotions with soft lyrics), style dark or black clothes, introverte, unhappy, over senstive, or expressed emotions in a very intense and dramatic way.
The slang emo stands for emotional hardcore. The roots of the emo were tracked back to the 1980s, particularly in Washington D.C, and its surroundings. Emo refers to thoughtful, emotional, and sensitive lyrics of music listened by an introverted person.
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.
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