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Do you want to talk with greater confidence and with better British English? If so, we will provide you here a list of the Best British slang starting with U. These slang can assist you with your spoken English and contains common phrases and words that you can discover in British. These are not found in standard dictionaries. It can vary strongly depending on the situation and who you are dealing with.
With our in-depth introduction to British slang, we will take you on a fun journey of British taste. Get ready to learn about the unique facts of British English, from amusing expressions to attracting slang terms. This will surely enhance the flavour and charm of your interactions.
In British slang, Una is a name given to a female derived from a Latin term that means “one.”
Una slang comes directly from the Irish term, which means “lamb.” This beautiful infant also refers to the Irish ancient Queen of the Fairies, who was known to become the centre of the universe.
The meaning of the word also originates from the Latin unus, which translates to one, as used by Spenser’s character Edmund in The Faerie Queene. This is also an explanation that is provided by Una Chin-Riley’s given name, also known as Number One, a character from Star Trek.
Primary, particular, separate, single, singular, sole, solitary, special, specific, united, combined, main, chief, key, prime, central, principal, overriding, foremost, first, the most important, predominant, paramount, major and ruling
The British Slang Uni is used as an informal term from the contraction of the word “university”. A uni is a place in which academic research is conducted and students take degrees.
British slang term Uni- originates from the Latin word ūnus, which means “one.” It is derived from Greek as uni in meaning of the mono- “monologue.” The term uni originated in the 1890s. However, the first mention of uni goes back to 1898, as recorded by the Sydney Bulletin.
School, academy, college, seminary, college, institute, varsity, polytechnic, graduation
One unit, elemental, entity, fundamental, particle, joint, united, harmonious, collective, undivided, wedded, consistent and organic.
Attire, costume, dress, garb, gown, khaki, regalia, robe, suit, apparel, work wear, garment and outfit
In British slang, Up the duff means Pregnant women. While not only it is also used most often when talking about unplanned pregnancies.
The phrase “up the duff” first appeared in print in Sydney John Baker’s Encyclopedia of Australian Slang in 1941. As a rare term, “duff” does not sound like an ideal match for slang expressions.
This slang term originated in a very unusual manner. This has been there for a while, at least since the 18th century. The term “up the duff” and the similar expression “in the pudding club” mean pregnancy similarly. A woman who follows her family’s way is thought to be a member of the pudding club by 1890.
Pudding can also be described as dough, and the term dough is also known as duff. By 1840, that was in use.
Thus, this phrase goes like this: from (up the) duff, which comes from dough and pudding in the meaning of pregnant.
Expecting, pregnant, expecting a happy event, up the stick, heavy with child, big with child, up the spout, with a baby on the way, with one in the oven, anticipating, carrying a child, childbearing, enceinte, expectant, fecund, fertile, fraught, fruitful and gestating.
Ute in UK slang means an automobile designed to travel through uneven surfaces. Ute is a slang used on Snapchat and is an abbreviation for “utility vehicle”.
Though the word “Ute” has no known origin, it originally appeared as “Yuta” in Spanish texts. In 1943, the first known use of the phrase ute was seen. Utes are common on Australian highways, in urban as well as rural areas, and are utilised for carrying tiny cargo.
‘The people’, or Núuchi-u, is the term by which the Utes speak of themselves.
Bakkie, dual cab, panel van, pick-up truck, station wagon, tilly, dumper, bin lorry, tipper and wrecker
Shoshone, Shoshoni, Shoshonean, Shoshonean language, Shoshonian, Shoshonian language and Uto-Aztecan language.
Ugg boots in British slang means a kind of sheepskin boots, that are unisex and are native to Australia. These boots have sheepskin inside and leather on the outside. Usually linked with cold, snowy areas, miniskirts, and beach towns. They can be worn for warming in the luxury of your own home.
The uninteresting, wealthy suburban girls wear ugg boots outfits. They are worn with fitted jeans, a hooded sweatshirt, and a fleece from North Face placed over the sweatshirt.
In the 1960s, when uggs were made for professional surfers, and they began wearing this footwear, the style became highly popular. They were the ideal solution to wet, cold, and sore feet.
One company’s owner, who has been manufacturing the boots since the late 1950s, says that he developed them. He states that his wife’s criticism of the boots’ design was the motivation.
Wellie boot, hiking boot, cowboy boot, riding boot, ski boot, cosy boot, furry boot, sheepskin boot, warm boot, winter boot, ankle boot, fur-lined boot, moccasin boot and slipper boot.
In British slang, Ump is an abbreviation for Umpire which is an official during a baseball game.
The term “ump” was first used in writing in the 1900s. Umpire, which means “arbiter” or “one who is not equal,” originates from the Old French number. This is shortened from non-, which means “not,” and per, which means “peer” or “equal.” Nomper was first incorporated into the middle English language as noumpere, but it later became umpire and then it is abbreviated as ump.
Linesman, referee, assistant to the referee, judge, chair umpire, adjudicator, arbitrator, referee, moderator, overseer, assessor, compromiser, inspector, justice, mediator, negotiator, peacemaker, proprietor and settler
Umpteen, in British slang, means an extremely huge quantity of items or people. Umpteen is used as an informal term to point out a major yet unclear quantity.
Emerging as a World War I Army slang term, umpteen is derived from the Morse code word umpty, which indicates “of an infinite number” or “dash”.Umpty was first used as an informal word in 1905. The -ty component is derived from numbers like twenty and thirty, and the ump- part is a playful designation. Umpteen and umpty are similar since both elements are related to ten. Therefore, substituting one “ten” for another is the effect of the change.
Many, plenty (of), countless, loads of, tons of, piles of, piles of stuff, countless innumerable, very, ever so many, masses of, stacks of, millions, considerable, zillions, numberless, innumerable, myriad, multitudinous, oodles and several
In British slang, Uncle Sam is the nickname given by some people to the United States of America as well as its government. It also means an official representing the US or its administration, described as a tall, slender man wearing clothing symbolic of the US flag and a white beard (i.e., facial hair).
There has been a little controversy about the origin of the slang Uncle Sam. Samuel Wilson, an entrepreneur from Troy, New York, gently known as “Uncle Sam” Wilson, is usually linked to the phrase Uncle Sam. During the War of 1812, he supplied the soldiers with jars of beef that had the stamp “U.S.”. This stamp indicates that they were government property. Due to this association, the United States has been commonly referred to as Uncle Sam for a long time. In 1961, Congress also passed a resolution naming Wilson as the national symbol’s founder.
American people, the government of the United States, Washington, the American nation, united states and Uncle Sammy
In British slang, Uncool is said to be a person or thing when we don’t think they’re stylish, sophisticated, or attractive. It means not being cool and lacking or displaying calm or self-control.
The term “uncool,” which denotes the complete opposite of cool, was initially used as trendy slang in the 1950s and has been there ever since. It is, therefore, quite OK to label something as uncool if you don’t like it or aren’t impressed.
Unhip, untrendy, nerdy, geeky, out, unfashionable, unstylish, nerdish, frumpy, old fashioned, unsmart, unstylish, boring, cheugy, low-tech, shabby, primitive, hated, tasteless, rejected, anonymous, unchic, unattractive, nameless, unfashionable, detested, nasty, obnoxious, sour, troublesome, undesirable and unpalatable.
In British slang, Uncut is in terms of precious diamond stones when they are not shaped like regular stones. It indicates that they are both lacking and in their initial state.
From 1150–1500, during the Middle English era, the slang term “uncut” was first known to have been used.
The first documented use of uncut in the Oxford English Dictionary originated in approximately 1426 when poet and Augustinian priest John Audelay wrote.
Unabridged, intact, undiminished, entire, total, whole, extensive, complete, full, full-length, unhewn, unshaven, unshorn, untrimmed, unclipped, not clipped, unpolished, gross, crude, raw, plenteous and all in one piece
In British slang, if someone says I am under the weather, it means he is “feeling sick or unwell”. You can use the expression, for example, when you’re telling a friend or boss that you’ll be absent from work.
This expression can only be used with brief, mild illnesses, such as the common cold or headaches. This phrase would not be suitable to describe someone who has a serious medical issue.
The marine phrase “under the weather,” goes back to the era of sailing ships. At that time, it was said that a sailor who was in a bad mood would go below ship to avoid the weather above, thus resulting in what is known as “under the weather.” According to another view, the term originated from the old belief that the weather had an important impact on people’s health.
Ill, unwell, poorly, sick, rough, crook, ailing, not well, seedy, below par, queasy, nauseous, off-colour, indisposed, peaky, ropy, wabbit, ailing, sicken, succumb, not oneself, not in good shape, out of sorts, liverish, woozy, qualmish, sick to one’s stomach, squeamish and bad
Drunken, intoxicated, inebriated, drunk, under the influence, hammered, wasted, plastered, smashed, trashed, sloshed, tanked, lit, bombed, tipsy, groggy, worse for drink, one over the eight, crapulous, rat-arsed and three sheets in the wind
In British slang, Under the Wrap means to conceal something from someone and keep it a secret. It is something in which only a few individuals are selected. When anyone keeps anything under wraps, it means they are prepared to make an announcement later on.
The phrase “keeping something under wraps” originates from to the 1890s or maybe earlier and does not only refer to packing something into an envelope. It is a term used to describe an act used in horse racing where a rider slows down the horse. This is done by encircling the reins around his hands, whether to prevent the animal from becoming tired or to hide the horse’s true racing skills.
Clandestine, classified, covert, hidden away, hush-hush, kept concealed, restricted, secret, abstain, privy, constrain, disallow, hold, inhibit, refrain, repress, reserve, undercover, private, confidential and unofficial.
In British slang, Unglued means to become highly illogical and lose control over your feelings or actions. If someone is upset, disordered, emotionally tense and mentally confused, they are said to be unglued.
The term “unglued” was first used in writing during the late 1600s. The first documented use of unglued by the Oxford English Dictionary dates back to 1694 when historian and biographer John Strype wrote. Unglued is formed in English using derivation.
Upset, angry, agitated, disturbed, unhinged, unstrung, flustered, worried, awed, baffled, befuddled, dazed, mystified, perplexed, puzzled, rattled, shocked, startled and stunned
After a few weeks of stress, Bob was unglued and made some really bad choices.
After her boyfriend’s disappearance with her sister, Angela has grown unglued.
She became unglued after the crash, and her change is quick and deep.
She apparently “became unglued” upon hearing of his failure to fulfil his obligations.
CEOs became unglued at the idea of a strike.
In British slang, Unreal was used to express extreme liking or amazement about something. Some people use it to express how much they like something. Something unbelievably or shockingly good
In other words, when you describe something as “unreal,” it also means you are saying that it is so odd that it is hard to imagine it is real.
The word “unreal” was first used in writing in the first half of the 1600s. The first documented use of the word “unreal” in the Oxford English Dictionary goes back to 1605 when poet and historian Samuel Daniel wrote. Unreal is used in English through derivation.
Absurd, bizarre, foolish, insane, fantastical, crazy, fantastic, strange, imaginary, make-believe, illusory, fabulous, visionary, mythical, intangible, immaterial, delusive, deceptive, collocations, imagined, hallucinatory, dreamlike, insubstantial, nonexistent, fanciful and fictitious
The party started to feel unreal, somewhat like a nightmare.
It was unreal how many shooting stars we observed that night!
Standing on the front lines, where people and music meet, makes the live part of things unreal.
Because the main characters are so unreal, you get a feeling that watching the movie is a challenge in itself.
We kept eating, and I felt so full and unreal
In British slang, Up against it means to be going through, or possibly experiencing, serious problems or challenges.
When anything is against you, it means that you are facing an extremely tough situation or matter.
This informal slang term “up against it” originates in the late 19th century. It is possibly derived from the more popular slang expression up against the wall.
In trouble, struggling, trapped, in extremis, liable, failing, in an awkward situation, with your back to the wall, in a difficult situation, out on a limb, despondent, forlorn, futile, sad, vain, downcast, hunted, harassed, stressed, troubled, persecuted, desperate, hassled, stricken, hard-pressed, under the cosh, at end of one’s rope, in a mess, in a fix and a tight spot.
Hull will be up against it due to the departure of seven team members.
Many families are up against it to make ends meet and cannot afford even necessities.
She promised to go up against those who were trying to divide the nation.
However, we made it clear to everyone who comes here that we will be up against them and give it our all.
Then he moved to the old wagon and bumped up against it once more.
In British slang, if anything is up for grabs, it means it is accessible to everyone interested, ready or able to fight for something. It is available for the greatest winner or the most active person.
This slang term “up for grabs” was first used in a story or journal in the 1800s. It was probably associated with the thought of someone throwing many banknotes into the sky and many people trying to reach up and catch them. The banknotes have become “up for grabs”.
Available, obtainable, to be had, there for the taking, up for sale, on the market, waiting to be bought, untaken, unengaged, yours for the asking, procurable, gettable, on tap, in stock, purchasable, capture, snag, negotiable and at hand
Do you want this the last slice of cake as it is up for grabs
After the disclosure of the CEO’s unethical acts, the entire company was up for grabs
Tickets to ten performances are up for grab now
The famous restaurant is up for grabs for £100 million.
In tomorrow’s election, 35 Senate positions are up for grabs.
Up shit creek, in British slang, means to be in a terrible or hopeless state, in grave danger. When someone says up shit creek, it means they are facing a difficult or troublesome situation, especially one that is hard to resolve.
Like many street slang terms, the exact origin of the phrase is difficult to define. We could say that in the 1860s, it became famous in the USA.
During Nelson’s rule, injured sailors were shipped there and admitted into the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar, where they would either pass away or recover. Some of them tried to leave by going down the drainage system to the stream.
They were captured as prisoners to stop them from walking away while receiving treatment. ‘Up the creek’ refers to being stuck, trapped, or in difficulties since without a boat, this would be hopeless.
The marine peoples of the British Islands introduced this slang related to the navy into their popular culture, which finally entered the English language as a whole.
Anxiety, concern, danger, difficulty, dilemma, disorder, disturbance, inconvenience, mess, pain, predicament, problem, strain, stress, strife, struggle, suffering, unrest, woe, plight, quandary, awkward situation, tight spot, bind, hole, sticky situation, in despair, forlorn, abject, sad, despondent, demoralised, wretched and disconsolate
In British slang, upbeat means when people feel cheerful and hopeful for a situation if they are good in their opinions or themselves.
The beat that comes before the bar’s first beat is known as the upbeat in music.
This informal slang term comes from the word’s original musical meaning. It means “the beat of a bar at which the conductor’s baton is in a raised position.” Music writers in the 1940s used the slang phrase “on the upbeat” to mean “getting better.” It was used as a “cheerful” meaning around 1947.
Cheerful, optimistic, happy, promising, encouraging, looking up, hopeful, favourable, rosy, buoyant, heartening, cheery, forward-looking, lively, sunny, bright, carefree, bouncy, good-humoured, breezy, peppy, happy, full of beans, chirpy, sparky, joyous, debonair, heartening, auspicious, favourable, propitious and prosperity
Uphuck, in British slang, refers to the act of vomiting. When someone upchucks, it means that they expel the stomach’s contents, such as food and liquids, via the mouth.
Upchuck was a slang used in American English that is formed through the combination or compounding of up (adv.) + chuck (v.), “to throw.” The Oxford English Dictionary first recorded the term “upchuck” in a Harold Wentworth dictionary in 1960.
Vomit up, purge, cast, be sick, disgorge, regorge, hurl, puke, barf, spew, spue, chuck, honk, regurgitate, throw up, heave, toss one’s cookies, regurgitate, bring up, blow grit, blow lunch, choke, convulse, nauseate, sicken, dry-heave, liquid laugh and feel nauseous.
In British slang, using one’s loaf means to gently criticise someone, telling them to think about their actions more carefully.
When you tell someone to use their loaf, it means you are asking them to use their mind and to think logically, reasonably, or with common sense.
The term originated in the early 20th century. It is derived from a rhyme scheme where “loaf” is shortened to “loaf of bread”. The bread has the same rhyming trend as “head.” It is mostly heard in Australia and the UK.
Be mindful, think carefully, think logically, figure out., have in mind, intellectualise, logical, mull over, put on one’s thinking cap, rack one’s brain, sort out, add it up, pay attention, think over, see the big picture, add two and two together, get the message and realise
I’m sure you can solve this by using your loaf.
I am pleased that, at last Jenny brought the right resources for her assignment by using her loaf.
When they initially launched their business 41 years ago, they used their loaves.
We would ask that when parking, people must use their loaf.
Although Farrell is a brilliant player, he should start making greater use of his loaf.
We’re hopeful that at this point, you’ve gained enough understanding of British slang, starting with U. Keep checking again with us if you want to learn more about slang with the other alphabets. Kindly send us any additional jargon to write for by leaving a comment below.
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