20 Best British Slang Start With “K”

As we know, everything will change over time. We all come from simple lives into an epoch of inventions, where a new day starts with a new invention.

The same is the case with language due to changes in community, country, region, and linguistics. Each term evolved and expanded with time, with different meanings. If you are an anglophile and love to study the history, origins, and new meanings of British slang, then you have chosen the right place.

In this article, we will cover the 20 best British slang starting with K which can help you to enhance your wisdom. Let’s dig in and explore the article.

1- What Does “Keen” Mean In British Slang?

In British Slang, keen means eager, eager to show enthusiasm, and eager to do something in a hurry. If someone has a strong desire or interest in doing some work, it means that person is keen. It is a slang term that shows a person’s positive attitude towards his responsibilities or work.

Origin of Keen:

The British Slang keen comes in modern English from the old English word ceen, which means bold, brave, or clever. Due to changes in linguistics and the addition of qualities in Middle English, keenness was used to describe intensity and perception. Then, the word’s evolution laid its foundation, and keenness is now used to describe enthusiasm, interest, and eagerness.

Synonym of Keen:

Passionate, desired, diligent, anxious, focused, ardent, fervent, impatient, avid, excited, devoted, zealous, yearning, lively, animated.

Examples of Keen:

Sarah is very keen to start the new project.
Math teachers are always keen to help students with their studies.
I am very keen to wear my new school uniform.
Are you keen to watch the series we discussed after work?
Imran is always keen to help others.

2-What Does “Kip” Mean In British Slang?

Kip is a versatile slang term that has different meanings depending on the context. It is an informal Slang that people use for sleep, a place of sleep, and a messy and untidy place. For your enhanced apprehension, we will use all these meanings based on context in examples.

Origin of Kip:

There are two suggested theories from different sources on the origin of the kip.

The roots of the Slang are traced back to the German language. The slang kip in British Slang means a bundle or stack of wood. It could be a metaphorical extension of a bundle of wood that used to make the bed a place to sleep.
The other theory hypothesized that it comes in British Slang from the Roman language due to their contact with the Romani community. In the Roman language, the word khip means to sleep or to sleep.

Synonym of Kip:

Sleep:

Rest, lie down, slumber, shut-eye, power nap, forty winks, Droze, catnap, snooze, zizz.

A Place of Sleep:

Bunk bed, sleeping accommodation, trundle, mattress, Deven port, Moses basket.

Untidy Place:

Clutter, shambles, jumble, pigsty, chaos, hovel, disarray, disorder.

Examples of Kip:

Sleep:

Sarah takes a few hours of nap after studying for her chemistry exam.
After crying too much due to not being in good health, the baby takes a kip of two hours.
Today is one of the most tiring days, and I want to take a kip.
Mosan takes Kip because he is exhausted from all these day-to-day meetings.
I want to go home as soon as possible and hit the kip.

A place to sleep:

Arrange a low-cost kip during the trip.
Do not hesitate to come to my flat. I have a spare kip.
Do not be knackered and come to my crash for kip after office.
During their internship program, students booked Kip near the railway station.
My friend invites me to her home for Kip during the trip to Skardu.
I love Farhan’s kip due to his soft and cozy matrice.

Messy or Untidy place:

Your room is full of kip you need to clean it.
I do not want to stay in a kip place like this.
Will you call the housekeeping to clean the kip?
Her study room is always kip, and I need to find out how she finds her things.
My dad started renovating the house, and that’s why it is Kip.

3-What Does “Knackered” Mean In British Slang?

The British Slang knackered is a conversational term that people use in their daily lives. It means tired, exhausted, or frustrated from both mental and physical exertions.

Origin of Knackered:

The British Slang knackered originated in the 19th century. It likely derived from the word knacker, which in ancient times was used to refer to a person who slaughtered an injured or old horse. Over time, the meaning of knacker evolved to a person who is involved in all types of disassembling.

Due to its widespread usage, knacker is classified as worn out or broken. It is metaphorically related to tired or exhausted, whether emotionally or physically. It was first used in 1971.

Synonym of Knackered:

Pooped, worn out, bushed, tired, beat, spent, rained, ran out, depleted, zonked, done in.

Examples of Knackered:

I am so knackered and want to stay alone for some time.
Working for late hours in the office makes employees knackered.
During exam times, both teachers and students are knackered due to the overload of studies and paper checking.
Taking care of all these naughty kids the whole day made Nainy knackered.
Due to training, the soldiers were knackered and not able to do the further drill.

4-What Does “Knock Up” Mean In British Slang?

The British slang knock up has a distinct meaning based on the context.

Waking up by knocking on the Door:

People use this informal Slang to wake someone up from sleep by knocking at their Door.

To Make Something Quickly:

It is also a colloquial term for assembling or making things quickly or in a hurry in a rough manner.

Origin of Knock-Up:

The slang knock-up is a mixture of Old English words and phrases. It has different origins from different sources because it evolved through common usage in other contexts.

Knock-up originated in the 17th and 18th centuries. In early times, knocking up means hitting or striking something in a sense of completion. Over time, with changes in culture, communities, and people, it evolved to make or assemble something quickly in a rough manner.
Another origin states that it comes from the nautical work knock, which was used to wake up a person for his watch duty by knocking on a ship or hull door.

Synonym of Knock Up:

Wake someone by knocking on the Door:

Rouse, awaken, shake awake, rise, stir, prod awake, call, nudge awake.

Assemble things roughly:

Assemble, construct, put together quickly, build rapidly, improvise, erect, rig, assemble, fashion, cobble together, form.

Examples of Knck Up:

Wake someone by knocking on the Door:
During exams, Sarah came up to my Door at 6 am to revise the syllabus.
I wouldn’t say I like it when people knock on my room’s Door in the morning.
Please knock me up tomorrow at 8:30 am because I have to go for a job interview.
Mosan knocked on Haris’ room’s Door at midnight to give him a surprise birthday party.

Assemble things roughly:

She knocks up sandwiches for her lunch.
Due to the shortage of time, the waiter knocked us up only with a cup of tea.
He is an expert in knocking up pasta and macaronies.
My mom knocked up a quick recipe for dinner because she had to visit the doctor.

5-What Does “Kick Off” Mean In British Slang?

Like other British Slang, ” off also has several meanings so that we can discuss all of them one by one;

To begin:

People use this informal Slang when they start any work.

To Become Upset:

Kick-off is also used in everyday conversation to describe a person who is upset or angry with someone or about something.

To Flare up the Conflict:

It is also used in another way to interrupt conflict and expand it to battle or clash.

To Expel:

Kick-off also means removing someone from a position or out of place.

Origin of Kick-Off:

The origin of the British slang kick-off is traced back to sports, especially football. In sports, kick-off is used to begin the match by kicking the ball from the centre to the field. In early organized football matches, it is the most widely used term. Due to its widespread use, people use the term metaphorically when they start or begin a new thing.

Synonym of Kick-Off:

Begin:

Embark, enter, launch, inaugurate, commence, get underway, set off, convene.

To Become Upset:

Fly off the handle, get hot under the collar, get angry, strike, become enraged, blow up, get worked up.

Expel:

Oust, banish, dismiss, boot out, evict, throw out, eject, remove, exclude.

Examples of Kick-Off:

To Begin:

Let’s kick off the match.
She kicks off the talk while making coffee.
All of you have to come to the meeting room at 11:00 am to kick off the meeting.
DJ kicked off the music and made the party more enjoyable.
The lecture will kick off at 5:00 in the evening.

To Become Upset:

Sarah was kicked off when she realized she left her mobile at home.
Mosan kicked off because he did not get average marks on the exam.
The student’s behaviour kicked off the teacher.
Customers kicked off about the poor service of the cafe and wanted to talk to the manager.
Do not kick off your mood, dude chill.

To Expel:

The boss kicked Michael off the job.
Mosan was kicked off from the class by the teacher.
Security kicked off a rude customer out of the restaurant.
The new CEO kicked off many employees from the job because he wanted to avoid paying them their salaries.

Flare up the Conflict:

The football match kicked off due to a fight between the teams of opposite players.
The protest kicked off when police arrived.
Students kicked off the battle between the two departments without any reason.

6-What Does “Keep Schtum” Mean In British Slang?

The British Slang keep schtum means keep quiet or remain silent. We can use this informal Slang to ask someone to stay silent or not tell confidential information. People can use it in both contexts, whether someone is always staying quiet or you instruct the other person not to reveal confidential information.

Origin of Keep Schtum:

There are two suggested theories about the origin of the Keep schtum based on different sources.

It comes from the Yiddish word schtum, which means to stay silent or quiet. Jewish immigrants, who mostly reside in London East’s End, brought it into the British language.
Other theories say its roots are not in the Yiddish language. It is a London-derived English word that comes from the German language and was first used in the 1950s, long after the popularity of the Yiddish language.

Synonym of Keep Schtum:

Close your mouth, hold your mouth, say nothing, hold your tongue, bite your tongue, hush up, zip your lip, keep mum, maintain secrecy, and keep a lid on it.

Examples of Keep Schtum:

If you still keep schtum, then I will hand it over to the police.
Sarah kept schtum and did not tell the media about her relationship with Jackson.
Due to her introverted personality, she keeps schtum.
The officer trained the soldiers how to keep schtum and bear the violence if the oppressors caught them.
Mosan kept schtum and did not tell anybody why he fought with his friend.

7-What Does “Knuckle Down” Mean In British Slang?

The British slang knuckle down means to do hard work and take responsibility for any job with honesty. This informal Slang refers to a person stopping postponing work and knuckling down. People use this Slang in casual conversations to express focus, determination, and diligence.

Origin of Knuckle Down:

The phrase knuckle down comes from the game of marbles. In which a player shoots marble to knuckle down on the floor to get the proper position. Over time, the term has been metaphorically used in colloquial language, meaning to focus and work with determination.

Synonym of Knuckle Down:

Committee yourself, be industrious, get serious, buckle down, put effort into it, apply yourself, put effort into it, dig in, concentrate, determine, focus, and get down to business.

Examples of Knuckle Down:

Be active and knuckle down to meet the deadline of the new project.
During exam times, students need to knuckle down to get good marks.
Mosan is an obedient employee, and he knuckles down every project.
If you want to get this scholarship, you have to knuckle down for the competitive test.
Do not delay the work. It’s time to knuckle down.

8-What Does “Knock Off” Mean In British Slang?

The British Slang Knock Off has different meanings depending on the context.

Fake:

It refers to fake products or the copy of the original.

Finish Work:

Complete the work before the usual time or stop working for a day.

To Steal:

It is also used to mention if a person steals something.

Origin of Knock-Off:

Like other British Slang, Knock Off does not have one origin. It has different origins based on the context in which we use it.

Fake:

In the case of copying original products, knock-offs emerged in the 20th century.

Finish Work:

In the sense of finishing the work earlier, it emerged in 1640 from the workplace in the time of the Industrial Revolution.

To Steal:

In 1966, it originated from the colloquial language to take something forcefully.

Synonym of Knock-Off:

Fake:

Replica, imitation, copy, bootleg, counterfeit, duplicate, lookalike.

Finish work:

Shut down, break off, clock out, call it a day, quit, stop work, rest.

To Steal:

Snatch, loot, lift, swipe, purloin, pinch.

Examples of Knock Off:

Fake:

He thought they gave her designer dresses, but they all were knocked off.
Be careful while buying online. Sometimes, they knock off.
The shopkeeper knocked off Mosan.

Finish Work:

When you knock off from the work.
Students were knocked out of the University because they had to go to a welcome party.
Let’s knock off and go shopping.

Steal:

Michael knocks off things from the mall.
Police arrest the man in case of knocking him off from the industry.
Someone knocks off money in school from students’ bags.

9-What Does “Kick the Bucket” Mean In British Slang?

The British Slang kick the bucket means to die or pass away. It is a polite way to express someone’s death or loss.

Origin of Kick the Bucket:

There are two suggestions about the origin of the kick the bucket.

It would be related to beams which were used to hang pigs in slaughterhouses.
The other source said it comes from the French word Bougette, which means a small bag or wallet that refers to the last identity of the dying person.

Synonym of Kick the Bucket:

Depart this life, rest in peace, fade away, meet one’s end, perish, depart, breathe one’s last, succumb, go, leave this world, expire.

Examples of Kick the Bucket:

Mosan grandmother kicked the bucket last month.
It is very hurtful to hear that Mr Tariq kicked the bucket.
During a bus accident, a university student kicked the bucket.
May your friend who kicked the bucket last month rest in peace.
We all have to kick the bucket one day.
Michael kicked the bucket during skydiving due to heart failure.

10-What Does “Keep Your Hair On” Mean In British Slang?

It is an idiomatic expression used in British Slang that means to stay calm, not over-excited or upset. In other English languages, people use phrases like take it easy, relax, or keep your calm.

Origin of Keep Your Hair On:

Keep your hair on, which has a different origin based on the occupation. Let’s discuss all of them one by one;

Entertainment Industry:

A theory says that it comes from the theatre or entertainment industry. In the mid-1800s, people wore wigs during performances. It tells them to keep their hair on and be careful about their wigs during the performance.

Military:

Another theory, based on different sources, suggests that its roots can be traced back to World Wars I and II. At that time, soldiers wore helmets for security that messed up their hair. It was a humorous way to ask them to remain calm and wear their helmets securely.

Colloquial Term:

It originated from the common language of the people, generally from their cultural sophistication. Where hair is used as a metaphoric term to refer to the temper of a person.

Synonym of Keep Your Hair On:

Remain composed, do not get upset, relax, keep a level head, stay collected, do not lose your temper, shrug it off, stay calm, and take it as it comes.

Examples of Keep Your Hair On:

Stay calm and keep your hair on. We will complete this project.
In a difficult situation, we need to keep our hair on and focus on the solution of the problem.
We will meet the deadline to keep your hair on.
In hospitals, most people lose their temper and panic. But we need to keep our hair on to handle all the consequences calmly.
Mosan advised Mosa to keep your hair in during the presentation.

11-What Does “Kickin” Mean In British Slang?

British slang kickin means exciting, exceptional, entertaining, and trendy. This informal Slang is used informally to express something full of energy, cool, and life.

Origin of Kickin:

The roots of the slang kick-in can be traced back to the mid-1500s. It originates from the colloquial term kick, which means to give energy or excitement. Over time, it is converted into Slang, which people use in their daily routine to refer to something exciting, vibrant, and cool. The evidence of its first use was found in 1552 in the writing of Richard Huloet, a lexicographer.

Synonym of Kickin:

Fresh, fabulous, groovy, bangin, lit, sensational, inspiring, invigorating, thrilling, remarkable, superable, unprecedented, phenomenal, outstanding, extraordinary, exemplary.

Examples of Kickin:

The new album release by the BTS is a kick-in.
The song Life Goes On, which JK sang, is kickin’.
Mosan throws a kcikin pre-wedding party.
Last evening, we went to a new restaurant, and let me tell you, their service was kickin’.
The DJ kicked the party with his song playlist.

12-What Does “Knock Back” Mean In British Slang?

The meaning of the British Slang word knockback is to knock something back from achieving something. In simple words, it prevents someone from succeeding by rejecting their application or request.

Like other Slang, it is not a notable British slang. It is a regional and niche-selected Slang that is used in specific communities.

Origin of KnockBack:

The British slang Knock back originates in the 1800s. It was first used in 1884 in Dart & Midland Figaro and 1931 in circa.

Synonym of Knock Back:

Veto, decline, turn down, expel, deny, disapprove, dismiss, negate, disallow, nix, scorn, spurn, repudiate, disregard.

Examples of Knock Back:

The principal knocks back her scholarship application.
The client reacted to the idea by saying that it could be more environmentally friendly.
I wouldn’t say I like it when companies knock back people without even calling for an interview.
The new CEO knocks back the employee’s per enam bounce.
They knocked back the proposal due to inconvenience or the need to provide an excellent outline of the project.

13-What Does “Kness High To A Grasshopper” Mean In British Slang?

Kness high to a grasshopper is British Slang, which means a person short in height, young, or child. When people use this Slang in their casual conversation, they refer to the past or remind themselves of childhood. The term grasshopper in Slang emphasizes the idea that someone is tall above the knees compared to a tiny grasshopper.

Origin of Kness To High Grasshopper:

It is an idiomatic expression that has many forms and emerged in 1814 as knee-to-high as a toad. In early times, people also used other phrases that had the same meaning, like bumblebee, jackrabbit, splinter, and knee-high to frog. In 1851, it was first used in a democratic review: “Do not pretend, my daddies, some of you who are not knee-high to a grasshopper.

Synonym of Knees To High Grasshopper:

Youthful, growing, childish, infantile, teenage, immature, adolescent, childlike, junior, juvenile, fresh, sprightly, unripe.

Examples of Knees To High Grasshopper:

Look at Mosan. He grew up. The last time we saw him, he was a knee-high grasshopper.
When I was knees to high grasshopper, my grandma told me stories.
I really miss the time when I was knees to high grasshopper, and my father bought me candies while dropping me at school.
They all were too naughty in the time of knees to high grasshopper.
Some people are knees-to-high grasshoppers, but they pretend to be adults.

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

The British slang knack means skill, ingeniousness, ability, and talent. It is a person’s natural or God-gifted talent. Folks use this Slang to refer to a person who is proficient, talented, and skilled in something.

Origin of Knack:

The word knack has a history from the Middle English word knack (sharp sound, sudden blow associated with cracking and breaking), which is also derived from the Middle Dutch word cnacken, which means crack.

With the passage of time, the meaning of knack evolved and converted into skill or aptitude. This conversion is basically due to linguistic changes and the word’s association with effectiveness and precision.

Synonym of Knack:

Craftsmanship, aptitude, mastery, know-how, competence, savvy, efficiency, agility, expertise, prowess, capability, skill.

Examples of Knack:

Zayan has a knack for managing parties.
It would help concerned about were con, echoed about Zoa ia. Sheforas has a knack for fixing IT-related problems.
All my family friends design their dresses for my sister because she has a knack for fashion design.
Samad has a knack for singing because he has been singing since his childhood.
You need to try food from the restaurant beside my house. Their chef has a knack for cooking pasta.

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

The slang kudos means to give praise or acclaim. People use this informal Slang to praise someone while completing a difficult task or achieving something. It is an expressive slang that offers a sense of praise for any achievement.

Origin of Kudos:

It is a Greek borrowed word derived from the Greek word Kydos, which means glory and fame earned as a result of good deeds or any achievement. It entered the English language in the 19th century in universities with the meaning of renown and prestige in the sense of doing any work or achieving good grades.

Over time, in 1920, kudos were elaborated into praise, applause, and acclaim.

Synonym of Kudos:

Laudation, admiration, plaudit, approval, accolade, honour, commendation, esteem, tribute.

Examples of Kudos:

The teacher’s kudos to Sarah for achieving good grades.
Ali got promoted and earned kudos due to his hard work and always meeting deadlines.
Teachers need to give kudos to students so they can do more complex work.
Mosan deserves kudos for his organization’s community work in helping youth and children achieve their life goals.
We need to give kudos to students who are always in the first line for any community work.

16-What Does “Knob Off” Mean In British Slang?

The British slang nob off means leave or go away. Folks use this informal Slang to ask someone to leave or get out. If a person bothers or annoys you and you want to leave them, you just said knob off.

Origin of Knob Off:

The exact origin of the slang knob off is still unclear. It originates organically from the community language, and the word knob emphasizes the term in a sense to leave forcefully and follow the instructions.

Synonym of Knob Off:

Take out, move out. Clear out, withdraw, vacate, evacuate, exit, depart, leave, quit, go, abandon.

Examples of Knob Off:

Do not create a mess and knob off from my office.
The teacher knob off students from the class due to their non-serious behavior.
Will you please knob off? I do not want to talk to you.
Mosan asked Imran to knob off from his house and find another apartment to live.
During exams, my mother knobs off all my friends from the house and does not allow anyone of them to meet.

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

Knobber, British Slang, is a derogatory term for a person who is stupid, foolish, annoying, thoughtless, or incompetent. People use it in casual conversation to describe a person who is senseless and cannot catch things quickly, whether in communication or other work. A person is straightforward and does not know the cleverness of the world.
It is also used to mention a young male deer.

Origin of Knobber:

The roots of the British slang knobber can be traced back to the 1600s, and it was first used in 1677 in the writing of Nicholas Cox.

Synonym of Knobber:

Obnoxious, ludicrous, ridiculous, foolish, idiot, foolhardy, irresponsible, sleepy, dumb, nonsensical, unwise, irrational, imprudent, silly, stupid.

Examples of Knobber:

Do not assign this project to Michael. He is just a knobber.
Please do not act like a knobber, and help me complete the project outline.
Some students are knobbers who need help understanding the lecture and whether you change your teaching methodology.
He always acts like a knobber and makes a mess everywhere.
Cafe Honour was such a knobber; he needed to have the manners to deal with customers.

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

Kit means equipment or clothing that refers to a person’s overall appearance. It is most widely used in military and sports contexts. For example, in the military, it includes all the things a soldier carries, such as a uniform, boots, and weapons. In sports (cricket), it describes the uniform, joggers, gloves, ball, and bat.

People used the Slang to refer to any necessary tool or equipment they had to carry.

Origin of Kit:

The slang kit comes into the British language from the late Middle English word kit or kitten, which means a wooden vessel or tub used to place things. As linguistics changed over time, the meaning of kit expanded to refer to a collection of items a person takes with him.

Synonym of Kit:

Attire, implements, accessories, gadgets, gear, appliances, tools, apparatus, outfit, paraphernalia, supplies, materials, and aids.

Examples of Kit:

Will you please give me a red lipstick from your makeup kit?
All players come with their training kits during their training sessions.
You have to wear your safety kit before the bike race starts.
The doctors need to always use a new pair of kits in the operation theatre.
The soldiers carried their whole kit when they went to the battlefield.

19-What Does “Kettle of Fish” Mean In British Slang?

In British Slang, a kettle of fish means a messy or complicated situation that is chaotic or difficult to handle. People who use this non-formal Slang in their conversations say a fine kettle of fish or a pretty kettle of fish describes a situation that is not fine or pretty.

Origin of Kettle of Fish:

The slang kettle of fish originated in the 19th century in Scotland. When people were at social gatherings or on fishing trips, they used to cook fish in the kettle. If they put a lot of fish together in the kettle, the situation would become chaotic. Over time, the term metaphorically has been used to resemble a messy or not-quite-pretty situation.

Synonym of Kettle of Fish:

Complication, difficulty, dilemma, tangle, chaos, disarray, clutter, confusion, another tune, horse of different colour.

Examples of Kettle of Fish:

Being a team leader managing all different tasks at the same point is a kettle of fish.
Due to poor management and coordination in the meeting, everything is turned into a kettle of fish.
Unscheduled meetings make the whole day into a kettle of fish.
Due to an overload of work, my weekend becomes a kettle of fish.
Due to Mosan’s misbehavior, the environment of Sarah’s birthday party turns into a kettle of fish.

20-What Does “Keep Tabs On” Mean In British Slang?

Keep tabs on means to monitor, observe, and track. This informal Slang is used to track something and have control of anything for surveillance and to remain updated.

Origin of Keep Tabs On:

It originates from the financial and business context, where everything is documented to make the record. The term “tab” mentions the tags and labels attached to the documents, and “keeps” elaborates on how to keep track of the documents and records.

Synonym of Keep Tabs On:

Take notice of, keep track of, keep watch over, follow, supervise, stalk, keep attention on, survey, stay abreast of, keep insight, scrutinize, catch, gaze at, check out.

Examples of Keep Tabs On:

Parents need to keep tabs on when their children use the internet for their safety.
It would help if you kept tabs on during the competition to notice what is the next plan of your opponent.
The doctor advised the nurse to keep tabs on the patient in the ICU on the night shift.
Mosan keeps tabs on product prices while shopping online.
As a chief executive officer of the company, I must keep tabs on the maximum prophet of the year.

Final Verdict:

The terms in language whether it is a phrase or slang evolved with time due to linguistic and community changes. Same as British slang also expanded from their origin. We hope in this guide the detailed description of slang with its meanings, origin, and use in examples helps you to understand it in a better way, for more British slang with different alphabets stay tuned with us.