Early Origins and Documentation
The history of British slang can be traced back to the late 17th century, with one of the earliest documented collections being the English dictionary of slang produced in 1699. This dictionary was associated with the "Canting Crew," a term referring to thieves and beggars who used their own form of language [1]. The dictionary served as a guide for foreigners to understand this unique vernacular and protect themselves from scams
[1:4].
Evolution into Standard Language
Many words that originated as slang have evolved into standard English over time. For example, "soccer" was originally British slang for "association football" [2]. Other terms like "blowing a raspberry," derived from Cockney rhyming slang, demonstrate how playful linguistic transformations become part of everyday speech
[2:2]. Some words, such as "OK," began as slang abbreviations and filled linguistic needs, becoming widely adopted across languages
[2:7].
Regional Variations and Cultural Influence
British slang varies significantly by region and is heavily influenced by cultural factors. Cockney rhyming slang from East London is a notable example, where seemingly polite phrases often have rude origins [2:4]. Additionally, British slang has been shaped by historical events and societal changes, such as the influence of Polari, a secretive language used by various subcultures including actors and sailors during the early 20th century
[4:1].
Modern Usage and Global Spread
Today, British slang continues to evolve and spread globally, partly due to media and entertainment. Words like "geezer" have different meanings in British versus American contexts, showcasing the nuances in slang usage [3:4]. The global dissemination of British slang through television and film has led to its incorporation into other cultures, making it an interesting study of linguistic adaptation and adoption
[3:1].
Resources for Historical Slang
For those interested in specific eras, such as the 1920s, resources are available that focus on period-specific slang. While many lists online may lean towards American slang, British sources like Polari offer insights into the unique lexicon of the time [4]. These resources are invaluable for writers and historians looking to capture authentic dialogue from various periods in British history.
In summary, British slang is a rich tapestry woven from historical, cultural, and regional threads, reflecting the dynamic nature of language and society.
Is that two different s shapes or was this written by igor?
ſ was the regular s, with s used only at the end of words.
Similar to Greek, which has both σ and ς.
Aaaaah that makes ſenſe!
One's an old version of a typeset f-looking s, but without the crossbar. Mostly used like a long s I think. Not overly sure if it's linked to the German B-like long s...
Yes. ẞ is ſ + z
The original Urban Dictionary.
Ufeful for all forts of People (efpecially Foreigners) to fecure their Money and preferve their Lives; befides very Diverting and Entertaining, being wholly New.
Ah, the translated version of Twoflower's fine Agatean Travel guide, Dictionary, Phrasebook, Language guide, Handbook of the Sights, Guidebook, Apodemica, Directory for Patriotic Travellers, Traveller's oracle.
Oh, lovely find, thank you!
This is a great resource, and one I consulted it lot when writing my own criminal characters. Sir Pterry knew what was up.
For example, soccer was originally British slang for "association football".
"Blowing a raspberry" comes from Cockney rhyming slang
fart (imitation of the sound) -> raspberry tart -> raspberry
Some of the seemingly polite ones are actually quite rude, which should surprise no-one who has ever visited the East End of London: Grumble (& grunt), Berk(ley Hunt), Pony (& Trap), and many more. Guessing the actual rhymes is left as an exercise for the reader.
Don't all words start as slang?
No, most words in English were borrowed from other languages or come directly from Old English.
OK, but those words were all coined somewhere so could reasonably be defined as slang at some point.
The question you're actually asking is, "which words were invented in modern (however you choose to define this) English and can't be shown to have been borrowed from other languages?"
The answer would be long.
Oh, I have a quote for this: "Its Because English is not one language, it's three languages wearing a trench coat pretending to be one language that then beats up other languages in dark alleys and rifles though their pockets for loose grammar and spare vocabulary."
Credit to - u/Squaredsocks for the quote.
Ok
From etymonline: "all right, correct," 1839, only survivor of a slang fad in Boston and New York c. 1838-9 for abbreviations of common phrases with deliberate, jocular misspellings... In the case of O.K., the abbreviation is of "oll korrect."
It likely caught on because it filled the need for a neutral affirmative word in English. Other languages have one (like Latin American Spanish with "está bien"), but English didn't have one until "ok" was widely adopted. Now it's the most widely spoken English word in the world.
I suppose we could debate whether it's still slang or not, but I think it's largely accepted as a normal word by now.
Right! It pops up in all sorts of other languages now - for better or worse.
Cool is unquestionably still slang.
The issue here is that they are all still words, just new applied meanings
Guy
"Named after Guy Fawkes (1570–1606), an English Catholic executed for his role in the Gunpowder Plot" (Wiktionary)
To me, this is the most interesting and mysterious part of this unique word’s etymology. I can see logically how it was derived from a popular language game, engaged in by at least one popular periodical. But to me, the part that begs for an explanation is how it caught on so quickly and was embraced so wholeheartedly in Britain (and then it’s colonies), despite the Brits not having any exposure to the meme it referenced.
And then beyond the Anglosphere, of course. A lot of languages that have adopted the word /.o'ke:/ of something like it, have retrofitted pseudoetymologies from their own word stock to explain and give precedence to it. What this says to me is that this word served a very useful phatic and/or semiotic function, possibly one opportuned by modernity, that everyone benefitted from having. Either that or much the opposite — OK is basically the resurrection of a long-suppressed protoword, whose practically made it insuppressable any longer.
I thought y'all would be interested in this. Several words and phrases in the list should be familiar. 😁
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/60-british-phrases-confuse-anybody-184632768.html
Like half of these are just English, not specifically British. I heard a lot of them just growing up in 90's Midwest culture.
Oh, if muggle comes from mug then it is kinda derogatory.
Yeah, I was borderline on whether this was worth posting until I got to that one. I think most Americans don't grasp the subtle dig there. That even the "accepted" and "polite" way to refer to non-magical folks, muggle-borns, etc. is a thinly veiled insult.
Huh, I never knew the meaning of geezer was different let some that different - probably has caused some confusion both ways in fanfic.
(Across the pond, it refers to an old man in an often derogatory fashion: frail, decrepit and possibly senile. Old geezer is often used, but it's also like saying young baby lol.)
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I am not British (nope: Evil German here!), but I knew most of these...then again: I love English as a language, it's just too usefull and a like the expressions native speakers use (colloquialisms and idioms/speech figures)...you can't understand jokes in another language without them after all and frankly I like watching TV-Shows (from the US and Britain) without dubbing (I don't need it, so why would I want it?)
Where can I find info about 1920s British slang? I’m writing a period piece, and a few young characters are up on the latest lingo, particularly from the London nightclub, dance hall, and theatre scene. I want their speech to be pretty much incomprehensible to the more staid, traditional characters. I’m finding lots of online lists of 1920s slang, but they seem very American, with a lot of words about prohibition and bootleg liquor. Is there a more British list out there somewhere?
I came back to say, in case anyone finds this old thread: Polari. It was the language of actors, circus and fairground showmen, professional wrestlers, merchant navy sailors, criminals, sex workers, and the gay subculture.
There was this that was peculiar about the stranger's back: that instead of being flat it presented a decided curve. "It ain't a 'ump, and it don't look like kervitcher of the spine," observed the voluble young lady to herself. "Blimy if I don't believe 'e's taking 'ome 'is washing up his back."
This passage is from “Passing Of The Third Floor Back.” I have no idea what “Blimy” or “kervitcher” means, and nothing shows up on google either.
Edit: can someone also interpret the last sentence? I literally have no idea what the person is saying.
It’s just phonetic spelling of a working class English accent. To say we invented the language some of us don’t half butcher it lol
Ok except Blimey can stand. It was a very common expression and fuck me most certainly was not
Oh, I completely agree that "blimey" was (and in some parts) is still a common expression. But I was simply updating with modern sensibilities. If it were written today, for today's audience, I think "fuck me" would ring more true.
I didn’t realize that blimey was a portmanteau! Thanks for the etymology lesson :)
Curvature of the spine. "blimey" was like "golly" or "gee whiz" for cockneys and working class, but more of an expression of bewilderment. Not sure of its origin, its still used by older folk now and then
I was told 'caw blimey' comes from 'God blind me' but changed over time to remove the blasphemy from it. I don't have any source to say if that's true or not though!
Sorry this made me giggle … it’s not cockles (they are a type of sea food it’s actually cockney
Source : from London
> "blimey" was like "golly" or "gee whiz" for cockneys and working class,
Very much still in use throughout England, but probably moreso in the south.
Indeed...quite
Blimey = ye gods!
Kervitcher = he's a hunchback with likely a massive cist on back.
Cor Blimey, shortened to Blimey, is a way of not blaspheming by saying "God blind me" which was apparently something people would say. I just found that interesting.
I don’t like Biden, but I still laughed harder than I should have.
If you want to be realistic, even before the Norman invasion and Hastings in 1066, there was likely a Germanic substitute for all of those words, perhaps compound words like you see in Anglish or German.
I sometimes wonder what if the norman invansion never happened and how different would english be today
someone was wondering that too and made Anglish. Check it out, it's pretty fun
Bold to assume that Harald Hardrade wouldn't have conquered England without the Norman invasion.
It's flowery, but only 7 of those words are Latinate, right?
Ignore COVID, if you count afternoon (arguable cuz it's a compound) & American (neo-latin), then it's 9
10.
When English becomes abstract, the percentage of words of French origin immediately increases sharply.
I see: test*, positive, covid (which I treat as a single word in context, but is built on latinate elements), during*, isolate, recover, continue, American, and people.
*Those are the ones I must have missed, as I had to check just now.
I assume you count "covid-19" as equivalent to "coronavirus + disease nineteen".
wait, COVID comes from "corona virus disease"?
u/repostsleuthbot
No it was me using an old account who first posted it 😭
when was this
“Ah booted her right in the fud, man!”
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that most fic writers don’t live in the British Isles, and therefore are not as in tune with the local vocabulary.
By my observations it can be a real struggle to find fics that incorporate any at all. Maybe a quarter of all fics feature something, but even then a lot of it is featuring passages and phrases from the books/films. Ron saying “bloody hell” being the main example of this, and often the only one.
Question is thus: what phrases and slang would you like to see more of for a more immersive or better experience?
General swearing. Fuck, wanker, bastard were very popular in my primary school in the 90's. Just whenever you're invited into anyones home they automatically ask if you "fancy a cuppa tea." It's just polite.
Is that “a cuppa tea” or just “a cuppa”?
Depends on the person. Some say cuppa, which implies they only have tea, others are more specific if they have other drinks.
Moonfairy13 on AO3 has done a series, called Hermione’s Writing Workshops, where she addresses British swear words and a few other similar topics. The fics are cute and helpful!
The lack of swearing is more unrealistic than the magic, tbh. "Cunt" in particular should probably feature in every conversation except between kids and adults.
As someone with lots if british friends I would agree with that.
Though the c*nt word actually rarely comes up.
The favourite are right now tosser and tit XD
The use of "cock-up".
"Malfoy you are such a cunt"
"HARRY JAMES POTTER WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL HIM?!"
"A Cunt, Hermione. I called Malfoy a Cunt because he was being a Cunt"
- If Harry was a real 90s Teen.
If Harry was Australian
I think you're underestimating the prevalence of the use of the word "cunt" by British teenagers, here. And adults. And children, in fairness.
He went to school in Scotland - they’d all be saying ‘cunt’. Watch the Billy Connolly sketch!
Just a reminder that Hermione was also a real 90s Teen, and was the one to slap Draco in the face :)
history of british slang
Key Considerations in the History of British Slang:
Origins: British slang has roots in various languages and dialects, including Old English, Norse, Latin, and French. It has evolved over centuries, influenced by social changes, trade, and cultural exchanges.
Regional Variations: Slang varies significantly across different regions of the UK. For example, Cockney rhyming slang from East London, Scouse from Liverpool, and Geordie from Newcastle each have unique terms and phrases.
Historical Context: The use of slang often reflects social class and identity. In the 19th century, slang was sometimes associated with the working class and criminal underworld, while the upper classes used more formal language.
Influence of Media: The rise of mass media, including literature, music, and television, has popularized certain slang terms. For instance, the Beatles and other musicians introduced slang to a wider audience in the 1960s.
Modern Evolution: Today, British slang continues to evolve, influenced by youth culture, technology, and globalization. Terms like "lit," "fam," and "bants" have emerged in recent years, often spreading through social media.
Takeaways:
Recommendation: If you're interested in exploring British slang further, consider reading books like "The Oxford Dictionary of Slang" or "The Slang Dictionary" by John Camden Hotten for a comprehensive overview. Engaging with British media, such as films and music, can also provide context and examples of slang in use.
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