English is a rapidly evolving language with a rich stream of commonly used slang, much of which is not covered in textbooks or lessons. The challenge when speaking “real English” with native speakers is that, while your textbook English is easily understood, the slang you may hear can be difficult to grasp. Furthermore, you may come across words that are vulgar—foul language—which, in certain environments, may be quite common. Some of these words are semi-acceptable, while others are absolutely not.
So, do you want to “swear like a trooper”, or perhaps just better understand when a trooper is swearing at you?
That’s where we start—with lessons for more advanced students, taking you from mild, commonly used, and entirely acceptable slang to—if you’re ready for it - X-rated language that you may unfortunately hear but are well-advised never to use. We also aim to differentiate between regional slang, as some words that are acceptable in the US may not be in the UK or Australia.
As a taster, here are a few examples of slang that are entirely acceptable:
Cheers – A word commonly used as a salutation when drinking socially, meaning “to your good health.” However, in modern usage, it more often means simply “thanks.”
Mate – Used to address a friend (“He’s my best mate”) but can also be used casually (“Have you got the time, mate?”).
Bloke – A man, as in “He’s a great bloke”—meaning someone easy to get along with, capable, or pleasant.
Chuffed – Pleased, e.g., “I was really chuffed that I passed my driving test.”
Gutted – Originally from the process of gutting fish (removing intestines before cooking), it now means deeply disappointed: “I was really gutted when my girlfriend dumped me.”
Dumped – Originally meaning to dispose of rubbish, but also used to describe a breakup, often acrimonious: “I got really tired of him staring at other women, so I dumped him.”
Nicker – One pound (£), e.g., “How many nickers is that going to set me back?” or “How many pounds am I going to have to fork out for that?” (where “fork out” means “pay”).
Sheila – In Australian slang, a word for a woman, based on the stereotype that all women were named Sheila, just as all men were called Bruce.
Ta – A casual abbreviation for “thank you”. While King Charles would never say “Ta,” you might hear it in everyday conversation, e.g., if you buy a pack of 20 fags at a tobacconist, someone might say “Ta” as they leave.
Fags – In British English, a common abbreviation for cigarettes. However, in American English, it is an offensive slang term for male homosexuals. So be careful where you say, “I’m dying for a fag.”
For more examples, check out our Word of the Week coming soon.
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