Are these phrases commonly used in England today?
Posted by therapissed-25@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 491 comments
Hey! I’m trying to write a male British character in his early 30s. His mom is old money and went to an all-girls boarding school in London, then she went to Oxford for uni, and she’s very posh. His dad grew up lower-middle class in Manchester.
The character is in the US and interacts with a lot of Americans.
I’ve been googling a bunch of different phrases and slang for someone with both of these upbringings, but I want to make sure that I’m actually using phrases or words that are legit and current.
These are some of the phrases I’ve got so far:
- car crash telly (Used to describe trashy reality tv)
- miracle worker (sarcastic)
- that’s rich
- last time I checked (defensive/sarcastic)
- that’s a lot of ___ energy you’re giving me (playful)
- oh man
- rough around the edges
- drunk
- plus (as in “plus, he’s late again”)
- calls his father “dad” (not “father”)
- literally (in the exaggerated modern sense)
- I can pull that off (about wearing or doing something)
- lucky me (sarcastic)
- easy there (calming someone down, including sarcastically)
- at each other’s throats (arguing)
- shit (frustration or emphasis/ just as an expletive)
- I couldn’t pick you out of a line-up (meaning someone isn’t recognizable)
- I messed up/ I fucked up -underdog
- Just a heads up
- please (sarcastic use, like “oh please”)
- peace offering (after an argument)
- get my fix (something you crave or need)
- one hit wonder
- you okay? / is this okay? (In place of alright?)
- keeping it light
- hang out (as in spending time casually)
- joke that actually lands
Do these sound natural for someone British (early 30s) and which feel off or too American? Also happy to hear any other phrases or tone tips that are commonly used. Thank you so much!
Familiar-Flow-8735@reddit
We don't say car crash telly. We don't even say telly anymore it's crap tv.
Still_Function_5428@reddit
The only one i dont recognise is "that's a lot of energy...."otherwise they are all English. Bear in mind though that England has huge regional variation. I live in the North, here a cotter is a tangle in your hair, starvation means cold, a bairn is a child, a snicket an alleyway and so on.
Cultural_Fun_444@reddit
Even within the north it changes tbh. I’m from East Yorkshire and we say tenfoot not snicket. Tbh could even change within the same county
s9ffy@reddit
I’d understand snicket as a Manc but I’d call it a ginnel.
heliumhussy@reddit
I’d also say ginnel (Bolton)
Fast-Concentrate-132@reddit
Definitely ginnel (Stockport/ was Manchester and Salford)
mrs_peep@reddit
What?
Jewelking2@reddit
You can travel 30miles or less in the North of England and the accent can change. I can remember a love at first sight, back away at second site in Liverpool where I found the men’s accent fine but the ladies not so. I am glad my Mum lost her accent.
Outside-Parfait-8935@reddit
I think the dash was meant to indicate an adjective, eg "that's a lot of (adjective) energy". I think it would be more accurate to say "you're giving off (adjective) energy"
happymisery@reddit
“Easy there” would be just “easy” or we’d say ”calm down”
Str8WhiteMinority@reddit
Or, “fuck me, who put ten pence in you?”
Fast-Concentrate-132@reddit
Who pissed in your cereal/ on your bonfire?
RhinoRhys@reddit
Who put 50p in the dickhead?
AgreeableAd9724@reddit
My favourite saying of all
Different-Try8882@reddit
Who put 50p in the eejit? - Granda Joe: Derry Girls
Idustriousraccoon@reddit
Flipping LOVE that show AND the celebrity bake off with them. One of the actresses is in the Decameron which is also completely hilarious and great
PurplePlodder1945@reddit
Who put 50p in the slot?
Evening-Tomatillo-47@reddit
Ten pence? How old are you? It were 50p when I were a lad!
rebecca7p@reddit
I was just going through the list and thought 'easy there' was probably one of the only ones that doesn't work. I think 'calm down' works better.
s9ffy@reddit
This is too stereotypically Scouse, so I don’t think it was heard a lot in Manchester when I was there (but it’s been a long time, when I was there Harry Enfield was using ‘calm down’ as a catchphrase for a Scouse character)
OrbDemon@reddit
Or “easy now”. This was the only one that came across as wrong.
branniganfringe@reddit
"Steady on" could also be used.
s9ffy@reddit
I think this is more Manc, personally.
Historical_Heron4801@reddit
Agreed, came to make a shout for 'srteady on'. Especially with a northern working class dad.
s9ffy@reddit
I’m from Manchester and I’d be more likely to say “Steady” (as in steady on) than “Easy”.
Joinourclub@reddit
Alright, calm down.
UKTim24530@reddit
I can't really justify this but it seems to me that "easy now/there" or 'steady now/there“ would be more southern while "calm down" I can almost hear the Liverpudlian/Mancunian accent.
GritstoneGrandma@reddit
Calm down definitely works in a southern accent. Easy now sounds like you're talking to a horse, fifty years ago.
UKTim24530@reddit
Del Trotter used "easy now" on a pretty regular basis.
GritstoneGrandma@reddit
Yes but he's not a 30yo today!
UKTim24530@reddit
True, but neither is he a horse from 50 years ago.
GritstoneGrandma@reddit
😅
Sisarqua@reddit
Or ... chill (out)
Outside-Parfait-8935@reddit
Also, oh man sounds more American to me
landwomble@reddit
"easy, tiger"
60s_Child@reddit
Or "Wind yer f***in' neck in"
Humacti@reddit
calm it down, eh, eh.
or
calm the fuck down.
Pileroidsareapain@reddit
Calm down, in a heavy scouse accent!
Pileroidsareapain@reddit
I say, when in a playful mood, “Now! Now!” As if to a naughty child.
Training_Advantage21@reddit
Calm down, dear.
NaomiOnions@reddit
Easy, tiger.
whitehat61@reddit
I’m in my 30s, apart from “dad” and “shit” I’m not sure I say any of these, however as I was reading it I didn’t find them particularly odd. Also, is Mum, not Mom.
beaches511@reddit
Unless they grew up in Birmingham where it is mom
Material-Net-5171@reddit
It's nit though
Pristine_Health_2076@reddit
Tell that to my mom
s9ffy@reddit
It 100% is in some parts.
PossibleGlad7290@reddit
Not in the Midlands. It’s Mom.
UncleSnowstorm@reddit
West midlands isn't all the midlands.
In most of the Midlands it's "mum".
Internet-Dick-Joke@reddit
The West Midlands isn't all Birmingham, for that matter.
Mom as opposed to Mum is predominantly a Brummie thing, and not necessarily universal to the rest of the West Midlands.
Fun-Brush5136@reddit
Either way, most brits don't know that brummies use mom either, so OP should avoid that anyway
Material-Net-5171@reddit
But they don't, though.
Live in Birmingham, but didn't grow up here, but but I know loads of people who did.
There is an accent, yes, but I would not say anyone is speaking with an o instead of a u & none of them would ever write it down that way.
But then I am also a little bit older.
Fun-Brush5136@reddit
Not all brummies use it but loads do. I grew up in south Birmingham (I'm gen x age) and most of my old friends use it both spoken and written down.
Snoo_said_no@reddit
Black country!
Aurorafaery@reddit
Coventry here, it’s Mum
EnvironmentalCan915@reddit
It's not all the Midlands, but it is the best Midlands.
UncleSnowstorm@reddit
West mids = worst mids
It even starts with the same letter!
EnvironmentalCan915@reddit
East Mids = Least Mids
It has four of the same letters!
fairenufff@reddit
But he's from Manchester which is in the North not the Midlands.
GingerWindsorSoup@reddit
Then it’s Mam
Outside-Parfait-8935@reddit
Not if his mum's posh, she'd be the one to choose what he calls her, and it would be mum or mummy
SamTheDystopianRat@reddit
No it's not. It depends on the individual but most people in Manchester that I know as a Mancunian say mum. The only people I know to say 'mam' are my dad and his family, and they're from County Durham.
fairenufff@reddit
Yes you are right. Manchester is mostly Mum. Mam is common in Wales and also spills over into Liverpool and the Wirral sometimes, I think.
Marble-Boy@reddit
Nah.. I've never heard a scouser say "mam". It's "mum", or "Ma".
Source: born, raised, and still lives in Liverpool.
Relevant_Ad_4121@reddit
I would've said it was the Irish influence with Liverpool rather than coming from Wales.
gohugatree@reddit
In the East Miss is Mum
Express-Motor8292@reddit
Or mam.
Dic_Penderyn@reddit
If his mother went to an all girls boarding school and is rather posh, she could very well have taught him as a child to call her 'mummy'. I went to a mixed boarding school and it was fairly common to hear girls calling their mother that. However to his friends he might refer to her as mum.
captain-carrot@reddit
Mumsy. Said while prancing around between the industrial zone and the underwater zone.
Maya-K@reddit
To this day, "Will you start the fans, please!" is code in my family for when we want the air conditioning on in the car.
Idustriousraccoon@reddit
Mimseypoo
notmyusername1986@reddit
Mummy/Mammy said to her or if she's mentioned to someone very close to me, especially if they've known her for a long time.
She would be called my mother or my mum if generally chatting with friends.
elaine4queen@reddit
Yes - you might want to factor in code switching. Hardly anyone is completely consistent in the way they speak
Artistic-Pain-1281@reddit
I say mam but I don’t think anyone ‘old money’ and who went to a boarding school in the south would say that and it’s often the mother who decides whether she’s mam or mum.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Do you use car crash telly, as someone in their 30s? Are there other phrases or words that you find are very common amongst people your age? Thank you so much!
Healthy-Tap7717@reddit
I keep scrolling up and down lol
Miracle worker - isn't usually used in a sarcastic manner. It's would be used in a sentence such as:-
I went to see my chiropractor on Monday bloody miracle workers he is, fixed me right up. (It means he was feeling better after seeing someone that could finally help.) Or for example:-
It's close to Christmas and your child just told you they want the toy that is sold out everywhere. You ask friends and family to look out for it. Someone pulls through and finds the toy on Christmas Eve! You would say " I swear that woman works mircles."
Hope this helps
Alternative-Ad3405@reddit
Agreed
I think it is sometimes used in a sarcastic manner, but only in the negative sense. such as when presented with a difficult or impossible task, or when some has unrealistic expectations, you may say "I'm not a miracle worker".
Healthy-Tap7717@reddit
Ah yes, I didn't think of it in this context. Absolutely correct!
New_Pop_8911@reddit
I think "I'm not a bloody miracle worker" sounds more like the way I'd hear it being said
deathofasinner@reddit
I call it trash tv. My mum calls it car crash tv.
Mika_378@reddit
i’m in my (early) 30s n would for sure say ‘it’s absolute car crash tv’, while describing something to my friends….absolutely never heard anyone my age use the word ‘telly’ mind, always tv
Fun-Brush5136@reddit
Politicians being given a hard time on newsnight used to get "car crash interview" but that's the only way I've heard it used
herefromthere@reddit
Car-crash telly is for where you can just not watch because it's too embarrassing. Like much of The Office, only more real.
Queen_of_London@reddit
You might hear people say telly, but not in that specific phrase. "Let's see what on the telly" would feel normal. Car crash TV is definitely the normal term, and TV as the word in general.
JulesCT@reddit
Seconded.
"Let's see what on the telly" and 'Car crash TV' are the appropriate uses of the synonyms for television.
Ok-Decision403@reddit
I don't think I've heard "telly" in the wild since the mid 80s.
Electrical-Sand-5613@reddit
I'm 30 grew up in the UK near London, family from York and Newcastle. Never heard this phrase used by anyone anywhere near my age. From personal experience not even people my parents age use it.
Guilty pleasure Shitty/Trash TV
Definitely should have bloody (hell) in there somewhere.
My favorite phrase from my mum's family is nowt stranger than folk. Meaning well people are weird
OrbDemon@reddit
Trash TV might be better in a general sense.
Snuggleworthy@reddit
For an alternative perspective I would say or hear almost every single one of these phrases..
Key-Struggle-5647@reddit
My life's a fucking car crash. No heard it ever said about tv
Wasps_are_bastards@reddit
I’ve seen it written, never spoken about
whitehat61@reddit
I’d associate that more with my parents than my age range, you’d just say “that’s shit” if in doubt we just swear.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
Financial_Horse_663@reddit
"Oh man" is an Americanism. I believe. "Oh, mate!" is good if expressing disappointment in someone else. Or "well that's just brilliant!" if frustrated with something that happened, like missing the bus. Also, school teacher is a middle-class profession.
ObscenelyWonk@reddit
None of these sounds particularly American to me, so I wouldn’t say that’s an issue. For drunk we have so many ways to say it, so you could vary that up e.g., hammered, pissed, plastered, bladdered, bit tipsy (only a little drunk) - the list goes on… and on! I’ve not heard car crash telly used in a long time - but that might just be me.
Outside-Parfait-8935@reddit
I'd say car crash tv now, telly is getting a bit old fashioned
WickedWitchWestend@reddit
Junk food tv or poverty porn…
badsandy20@reddit
I’ve never even heard that term
Ok_Artist_6175@reddit
You forgot shit-faced
Material-Net-5171@reddit
Rat-arsed
ObscenelyWonk@reddit
I would also add that a lot of expressions are regional, so where the character grew up (not just their parents) would impact their language. You can then look up specific phrases they might say e.g. in South Yorkshire we say ‘reyt’ for right/alright (“it’ll be reyt”). Admittedly an American audience might wonder what the heck that means so might be a step too far!
Material-Net-5171@reddit
Rat-arsed
Out_rising@reddit
Half cut, 3 sheets to the wind, pissed as a fart, pickled, sozzled. We really do have a lot of these...
Former_Bandicoot_769@reddit
Arseholed is another classic
Miasmata@reddit
Or if you feel fancy, you could be squiffy or sozzled lol
Superballs2000@reddit
That’s not fancy - only very twee people would use those, Charlottes and Toms from Wimbledon
wrexhmawesomedragons@reddit
The mum and the dad sound like they wouldn't get together 😂
Ok_Artist_6175@reddit
‘Having a fag’ means smoking a cigarette
Ok_Artist_6175@reddit
Pissed = drunk Pissed off = cross / angry / fed-up
Ok_Artist_6175@reddit
For fuck’s sake (FFS) - common expletive
zuzzyb80@reddit
The usage isn't quite right for car crash TV. It can be applied to reality shows but not exclusively. It's for something that's so bad, disastrous, awkward that you can't help but watch it.
The Brits hosted by Mick Fleetwood and Samantha Fox was car crash telly - jokes didn't land, presenters were wrongly introduced - but the audience watched in sort of fascinated horror. The Parkinson interview with Meg Ryan is another example.
So something like Strictly isn't car crash telly, but a bad dancer like Ann Widdicombe on Strictly is.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
That distinction is helpful. It’s more about what specific events take place on a show/film rather than the show/film itself.
KatStitched@reddit
For things like reality tv my family tend to call it ‘pond life’ because we find it to be like watching paint dry or grass grow. Not sure if that helps at all. Otherwise we would just call it shit tv
zuzzyb80@reddit
That would work. As an eg Big Brother itself isn't automatically car crash TV, but the episode where Kinga pleasured herself with a wine bottle in the middle of the garden very much was.
Party_Sandwich_232@reddit
I love that this is now this woman's legacy, I can't remember anything else about her lol
bittersweetful@reddit
Also I feel like "telly" is an older generation thing, and sometimes a northern (I'm from Yorkshire but have lived all around the UK) thing with younger generations, but a guy in his early 30s with his background would probably say "TV" rather than "telly"
Bad_Combination@reddit
I’m 40 and would say “car-crash tv” rather than “car-crash telly”, but I would use it to say something like “the telly’s broken again” or “I’m going to watch a bit of telly”.
rebecca7p@reddit
This is an interesting observation. I'm in my early 30s, half northern, half southern. I say telly but now I have no idea whether my friends do, or if it's just me!! I'll have to pay attention from now on!
Succotash-suffer@reddit
Also a big clue in the phrase. It’s a car crash, you shouldn’t really be watching it (someone could be hurt or die) but your intrigue, morbid curiosity means you can’t turn your head away.
Succotash-suffer@reddit
Good observation
PeteUKinUSA@reddit
Find yourself a British beta reader. Much like any other language, context is important. “You cheeky monkey” might mean you’re being a little flirtatious or it might be the first warning that if you continue on your current vein of conversation you’re going to get a punch in the face.
s9ffy@reddit
Totally agree about getting a British proofreader - I remember a British character in The Da Vinci Code referring to ‘gooseflesh’ and it really pulled me out of the book. It irritated me that it would have taken one Brit to proofread that and say it’s goosebumps.
ChallengingKumquat@reddit
A teacher I knew called some misbehaving children "cheeky monkeys" - a phrase she often used ... but unfortunately, in this instance, one of the boys was black, and raised a complaint. After an investigation, the teacher kept her job, but I believe she has never used the phrase again. Other teachers were advised to never say it either.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
I’ll definitely try to! The last time the beta reader I found plugged my work in AI, and I don’t know anyone irl who lives in the UK. But I think paid services might be worth it for this.
PeteUKinUSA@reddit
It’s probably worth it. I’m reading a book series at the moment where one character is from London and the author is getting more linguistically adventurous as he goes on. He’s used a piece of slang I haven’t heard since the 80’s and it’s pretty obvious that what he thinks it means and what it actually means are two entirely different things. It’s obviously not the end of the world but in the context it’s pretty jarring.
If you want a good example of contemporary south-east British speech, read the St Mary’s Chronicles by Jodi Taylor and pay attention to the character called Markham. He’s a little bit irreverent so his dialogue is informal and Jodi Taylor does dialogue really well. Pretty sure there’s a short story all about him so if you can find that it’d get you started on the right track.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I’ll check it out for sure
11theman@reddit
Pro tip: Americans attempting to write British voices are invariably awful if they haven’t lived here a long time
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
My dad is from the UK but hasn’t been there in ages, so his perspective isn’t too relevant. I’m trying to access multiple sources of information so that it’s as close as possible to how this character might sound. The character has also lived between the US and UK for most of his life, so there’s a significant American influence on his vocabulary.
Alert-Painting1164@reddit
I’d say you need to decide where the character grew up and what type of school they went to etc. the parents aren’t that relevant to how they would speak and if they grew up to the age of 18, moving to America won’t be that relevant
SleipnirSolid@reddit
Parents and grandparents can be relevant. A lot of phrases I use in my 40s I can trace back to my mum and Grandma.
Friggin Nora & Gordon Bennett - Grandma
Loo, banjaxed & Saints preserve us - mum
I've hardly heard anyone else use those terms and my slang is peppered with words from my teens, 20s, modern day zoomer crap, etc.
"You got rizz, homie, but I need the loo for a piddle" is a phrase that I could come out with. In that you've got zoomer, 2010s, mum and "piddle" is from my cockney maternal grandad.
It sounds bizarre in text but in person it sounds natural cos my accent will shift per word. I've lived all over England and changed social class a few times.
Tbh I find it fascinating how much our language says about us and how rich it can be without us even realizing it!
zootnotdingo@reddit
Completely agree with this. I have an English mum and an American dad. I say “tin foil” because of him, and it’s an extremely old-timey term
Changing social class a few times sounds like quite a story. Hope you are on the upswing now
Cultural_Fun_444@reddit
But tin foil is the default phrase in the UK? In the US it’s aluminium foil. So tin foil can’t come from your American dad, and it also isn’t old-timey
SleipnirSolid@reddit
They say "aluminum". *Shiver*
Outside-Parfait-8935@reddit
Hang on, you use tin foil because of your American dad, not your English mum? But Brits use tin foil almost exclusively! I'm confused
Material-Net-5171@reddit
I was wondering this too.
zootnotdingo@reddit
Okay, so I have learned they both say it, but my dad says it more often. And my dad says he learned it from his household in western Pennsylvania as a child. Tin foil is something people from that area are kind of known for saying, along with gumband for rubber band and slippy for when the ground is icy
Thank you for giving me a reason to look into this! It’s genuinely interesting!
GritstoneGrandma@reddit
Yeah I agree that parents are less relevant if you travelled around and/or your character is supposed to have gone to private school himself (you didn't say that-? Definitely work that out). Or did he grow up in London, where he might have another distinct lexicon-?
They might have a bearing if your parents grew up somewhere with a strong regional dialect but someone who went to a boarding school in Oxford won't have that (native working class accent in Oxford is of course irrelevant for this).
I grew up not that far from Oxford, then went to grammar school, then to Cambridge, though my background isn't really posh. My voice poshed up a lot but I don't think I grew up with a particularly notable lexicon. Posh education is quite homogenising in some ways.
hannahproasheck@reddit
parents are fairly relevant to your language tho. my dad's from Sheffield and my mum South London so I have some northern slang and cockney slang mixed together (grew up in the South and school friends didn't know mardy until that Arctic monkeys song)
Outside-Parfait-8935@reddit
I think you need someone British to proof read the character's dialogue when you've finished the first draft. Preferably with a similar background. Our variations of speech patterns depending on class, race, sex, region, age and education are astonishingly wide.
Normal_Red_Sky@reddit
I'm afraid that writing a character from a place and culture you're not familiar with is always going to include inaccuracies and not come across as authentic to someone who's from that culture. Maybe try talking to people online who are from the area and of the age of the character.
superspur007@reddit
Unfortunately due to the prevalence of US Media that has affected us all.
Prestigious_Crew_671@reddit
No way!!! 🤣
imalittlefrenchpress@reddit
I have a friend in Catford who soakes their plates of meat, then puts their corporal kleggs up after a long day.
Now I’ma turn off the friggin Roger melly and go have a Stephanie power, cause my old ass can’t stomach cawfee anymore, so something gotta wake me the fk up.
I’m originally from NYC. Welcome to When Brooklyn Meets London.
Intelligent_You_2992@reddit
Your gonna wanna spend time with english people. Most of these phases sound outdated or cheesy.
If somebodies over reaching we normally say Calm the ham my auld buddy
Fabulous-End2200@reddit
Oh mate, might be better than oh man maybe, everything else looks good 👍
Whulad@reddit
Most are fine - not sure about keeping it light and oh man feels a bit more America to me
Ecstatic_Food1982@reddit
"That's a lot of ____ energy you're giving me" doesn't sound like something you'd hear. I've heard if from Americans and I've heard people under 20 talk like that but certainly no one over that age.
auntie_eggma@reddit
Why have American suddenly become obsessed with the concept of 'old money'?
It's become a buzzword aesthetic and it's weird.
What do you mean when you say his mum is 'old money'?
Raven-Nightshade@reddit
I'm trying to figure out how this character's parents even met. The class system here is not a matter of how much money you earn, and the term old money usually refers to minor nobility.
Was his dad military? If he was an officer, then he might have had cause to be somewhere he might meet an old money heiress, he wouldn't necessarily have been rejected by her family, and it would explain the pond hopping.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
The dad is wealthy later in life when he meets the mom! He’s powerful and successful in adulthood. But he wasn’t wealthy during childhood and neither were his parents.
Iforgotmypassword126@reddit
Look up the angry young men in literature.
Essentially as university and good education became more of an option. The brightest and most likely to succeed from working class families were provided with an education.
Because of the class system that meant that most of them were rejected by the middle and upper classes that they were working and studying with, and they were seen as strange and not relatable by their family and friends that they grew up with.
The class system is extremely nuanced and it’s probably better to stay away from it entirely instead of getting it wrong tbh.
The locations in your story (linking to the language people use) and the class system (showing things that are unlikely to happen in real life) are your biggest risks to accuracy.
GavUK@reddit
You might want to read up on the children of some rich former-working class parents in the UK to see how they are compared to their peers and an issues they or their parents mention.
Something that comes to mind is that, often for people who have always grown up having plenty of money and generally being able to have what they want (but also applies to some people who didn't when they were younger but are very well-off now), is that they forget that 'normal' people usually can't just spend a few thousand on something just like that (be it a product, holiday, or unexpected expense), they have to save for it or pay on a credit card/take out a loan.
You often see this disconnect by politicians about people living on benefits - they don't generally pay attention to the cost of basic foods, clothes and rent and don't realise just how hard it is to get by on that amount of money.
Iforgotmypassword126@reddit
I think she caught his eye at st martins college.
WickedWitchWestend@reddit
Not sure how a guy of that background would be an officer? Assuming he entered as a school leaver.
Ski season maybe? Working class guy looking to do something different, fancies learning ski/snowboard?
ImpossibleOil8427@reddit
My mum was (sort of) old money, and my dad’s firmly lower/working class. They met because she HATED her life and wanted to be among “real people” and do what “real people” do, so she moved away from home.
So I guess it’s less about the class system you’re born into, and more about your personal mindset. (Similar to people born into lower class, but are determined (at varied rates of success) to be “better” and jump up a class or two).
PresentationOld4693@reddit
Like 'Common People' by Pulp...
ImpossibleOil8427@reddit
One of her favourite songs actually. Whenever I hear it I think about her.
Realistic-River-1941@reddit
The obvious place they could have met is at Oxford.
MrsTheBo@reddit
I’m a Brit in my 40s, and most of these feel pretty natural to me.
My observations (but others may disagree) are:
You are probably already familiar with some of the words that are used differently in the UK to the US, but here are a few in case helpful:
Elevator = lift Pants = trousers Purse = handbag Line = queue Fall = autumn
We also refer to falling over as going “arse over tit”, so that might be a fun one if it works with your plot!
Hope these help - good luck with your writing!
Iforgotmypassword126@reddit
Unless the character was raised in Manchester then they’d use pants.
I think where the character spent most of their life is the most important fact OPs left off!
nonsequitur__@reddit
In the north west we say pants, not trousers. So if his dad is from Manchester he’ll probably say pants.
Cultural_Fun_444@reddit
I mean I’m not from the north west but I have lived in Manchester for years now and never heard a single person from Manchester say pants instead of trousers. Could this be an older thing? Most of my friends from manc are mid twenties
nonsequitur__@reddit
No just a local thing, perhaps they are modifying their language knowing you’re not local?
Cultural_Fun_444@reddit
Hmm I doubt it. I asked my friend who grew up in Oldham after reading your comment and they said they’d never heard it before. It must be one of those things that varies even within the same region. I’m from Hull and some colloquialisms like bread cake are pretty universal and others I haven’t even heard of even though I grew up in the middle of the city, even though people swear ‘everyone in hull uses them’
nonsequitur__@reddit
Yeah possibly! Just been reading up and apparently it is a (what was) Lancashire thing. Pants was originally used all over the UK predating the American usage (originating from ‘pantaloons’), then a couple of centuries later, polite society became offended by the word and started to use trousers instead which OED says came from Gaelic and originally only referred to pants/trousers cut on the bias and usually made with tartan. The NW (or parts of it I guess) retained the original meaning. I remember telling my dad that pants are underwear in some parts of the country and that some people say trousers even when they’re not acting posh and he was baffled 😆 where I’m from saying trousers for pants, dinner for tea, lunch for dinner etc = posh 😂
Cultural_Fun_444@reddit
Yeah we also have the dinner/tea/lunch thing in Hull but I’ve never had as much resistance in my life as when I lived in the south for a bit and tried to use bread cake. I bet barn would get an even more intense reaction because it doesn’t even have the word bread in it. Interestingly my friend from Oldham says muffin which is apparently local to pretty much only there. Kind of insane that a bit of bread is so divisive.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
These are all so helpful! Thank you so much. Are good God or Christ commonly used?
Cultural_Fun_444@reddit
I think maybe you’re going to get a lot of variations between age groups and social circles because I’m hearing a lot of people say ‘bloody hell’ is more common than ‘Jesus Christ’ and from my perspective it definitely isn’t. I’m late twenties from the north and only ever hear older people say bloody hell, it is not common at all in younger speech (30s and lower). In fact I usually know exactly when an American wrote an English person because they say bloody hell far too often even though they’re like 25. For younger people American speech has had far more of an influence on colloquialisms than it has for older people, therefore some of the old expressions like bloody hell are dying out.
Former_Bandicoot_769@reddit
I say Jesus Christ a lot, am from the South. Also a huge fan of Fenton the Dog, which is a older reference but I still go and watch it sometimes when I need a laugh.
Outside-Parfait-8935@reddit
I think you're safe to use both of those
deathofasinner@reddit
Personally, I say 'jesus!" (Meaning shocked) waaay too often.
Us northerners are bloody strange creatures. We have a phrase or word for so much, we practically talk a different language most times 😂 if you need arc readers, im 1000% here for it. Love reading its my only happiness nowadays
The-Mandolinist@reddit
Yes. Jesus, Christ or Jesus Christ!! Also - Christ Almighty! And - for God’s sake!
deathofasinner@reddit
My mums a very strange one. She says "jesus christ superstar!" Lol
AgreeableAd9724@reddit
Jesus Christ, or more commonly Jesus or Christ on their own are fairly well used.
Oh God would be preferable than Good God….although that is probably subjective depending on where you’re from. Bloody Hell is a well used term.
And then there are the ‘fucks’. There are too many uses of this word to explain, so I’ll let this legend explain
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CEG65JYMy/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Wonderful-Dog-8118@reddit
Personally, I say, Jesus christ! and oh God! on a daily basis at work.
hartyfarty19@reddit
Christ on a bike
nonsequitur__@reddit
Christ or Jesus Christ more so than good god. Not sure if they fit with the characters age though.
notmyusername1986@reddit
Can sometimes get an "Oh good Lord!" from some of the more buttoned up types.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
They’re both in their early 30s
nonsequitur__@reddit
Good god sounds older and posher to me. Christ is more universal.
Peppl@reddit
im in my 30s and would feel wierd saying eithe, ot would Christ; fuck!
Wubbleyou_@reddit
Christ almighty is used to give it emphasis. Good god and Christ are common
kldc87@reddit
I'd say for Gods sake and Jesus, personally.
MrsTheBo@reddit
I wouldn’t say they are never used, but in my experience, they aren’t that common. Bloody Hell is probably a more common exclamation (which looks a lot written down, but is actually quite tame!).
Old_Professional_378@reddit
I’m glad to hear that because it’s one of my favorites.
MyLifeTheSaga@reddit
For "I messed up" I reckon it'd be more likely to hear "I fucked/bodged/fluffed it", and to strengthen it, "I fucked it right up."
TheFunInDysfunction@reddit
Seconding that I’ve never heard anyone in this country say “oh man” ever. If the character is nothing special (no special education or particular upbringing like tutors or boarding school) he would probably swear (many of us not fussed about swearing or blaspheming) among friends and say “for fuck’s sake”, “shit”, “oh bugger” or in particular if influenced by a Mancunian dad “fuckin’ ‘ell” (or even as abbreviated as ‘kin ‘ell). If not swearing, blaspheming would still be common (“bloody hell”, “oh Christ”, “damnit” or if Manc, “bleeding hell/bleeding heck”). If raised in a particularly gentle atmosphere maybe “oh dear” or a bit eccentric “oh crumbs” but I’d suggest these people are a bit less common in the generation we’re talking about.
Similar age to your character, and support what others say, his parent’s schooling is less important than his.
GritstoneGrandma@reddit
I don't think any 30yo man going to private school would ever say oh crumbs unless he was being deeply sarcastic. Particularly if he had some transatlantic influences. He would still be a young guy trying to be a bit cool. He would say shit or fuck.
(Though in one generation older I did enjoy the expletive, 'fuck a duck!'.)
WolverineOk4248@reddit
It may depend if they're of an age to watch Dora - it felt like every kid of that age 'oh man-ned' all the time and it's stuck for some of them.
For MUM'S school obv one is Cheltenham Ladies. What he calls her could be anything with that background, though.
The-Mandolinist@reddit
Someone from the North West of England would call trousers: pants. OP’s male character is from Manchester.
hotwheels_x@reddit
My fave is ‘oh bollocks’ or, ‘oh bollocking bollocks’
Ameglian@reddit
Suspenders are not part of lingerie! They’re ‘braces’ in the UK. I found this a hilariously confusing thing in Reddit a while ago.
nonsequitur__@reddit
And a vest = tanks top, and a sweater = a jumper
GingerWindsorSoup@reddit
A vest is underwear - what my mother advises me to wear under my shirt in cold weather. In Australia it’s a singlet.
herefromthere@reddit
In the US a vest is a waistcoat.
jbuk1@reddit
What do they call a waistcoat?
herefromthere@reddit
a vest
Artistic-Pain-1281@reddit
I would say I messed up rather than screwed up but yes I can’t imagine anyone saying ‘oh man’ here. Not many people have mentioned that one so maybe some people do say it…
Iforgotmypassword126@reddit
Just an FYI
A lot of factories especially in Manchester were closed down by 1990s.
And a teacher is not typically considered a working-class role; it is generally classified as a professional, middle-class job due to the educational requirements, salary, and non-manual, white-collar nature of the work.
If you’re trying to create an image of poverty, or real working class. I’d suggest
Driver, call centre, retail, labourer, taxi driver, cleaner style work.
WickedWitchWestend@reddit
Your list isn’t sweary enough. But I am Scottish.
a few ideas
Junk food telly
Instead of easy there, just ‘calm the fuck down’.
I wouldn’t recognise them in the street
That hit the spot or that filled a hole as an alternative for ’got my fix’
Having a right go at one another/ tearing into each other
Dunk - steaming/paralytic/mangled/fucked
deusxm@reddit
One to add - we have a linguistic superpower where you can insult anyone by saying they're "an absolute [insert literally any noun]"
As in "you absolute wetwipe" or "you absolute lampshade", "you absolute Czechoslovakian traffic warden".
Any noun at all. Doesn't matter if it's related in any way to the situation. The obscurity/randomness can actually add to the effect, although there's a power curve dependent on the number of syllables.
The sweet spot is a 2-3 syllable noun as it bounces nicely after 'absolute'
Returns greatly diminish once you go beyond that point as it takes too long to say and shows you've tried too hard. The point is to be spontaneous and surprising.
Lady_Pamplemousse@reddit
Now a Red Dwarf reference would place the character fairly precisely in time, and pleasingly imprecisely in social class.
“Step it up to red alert!” “Sir, are you absolutely sure… it does mean changing the bulb.” ^^ I never won't laugh at this
GritstoneGrandma@reddit
Yes. And if you character went to a boys' public school, this kind of mocking one another as a form of verbal jousting would definitely be in there.
Puzzled-Horse279@reddit
Yeah most if these check out
Also if the character is not the type to pick up on Americanism or internet culture or changes in language.
A British character in their 30s would refer to Brown looking people as Asian (he'd assume theyre South Asian or West Asian) and if they are ignorant or doesnt care about plotical correctness theyd call all Far East Asian people either Chinese, Oriental, Far Eastern, the J wird which isnt really offensive in the UK or the C word which is offensive but some people in the dont treat the C-word as offensive as the Paki (a racial slur toward Brown/Asian/Muslim looking people... I can say it) or the N-Word.
Cultural_Fun_444@reddit
Damn this was a post about harmless UK vs US phrasing and somehow you found a way to make it about racial slurs. Also, the J-word is very much offensive in the UK. If you don’t think so, this actually just makes you racist.
Puzzled-Horse279@reddit
Ah maybe a generational thing since a lot of people never told me or used it casually until around the 2020s younger people or internet users started getting offended by it and I assumed this was just an Americanism that caught on.
Like Oriental is now being pushed as to be considered offensive in the UK but then loads of British Chinese (like Donnie Wong, Respect the Mic duo, Goeffrey Cheng) born in the 2000s or earlier still use it and refuse to acknowledge it as an offensive term or dont agree with peoples explanation as to how or why its offensive.
Timberfist@reddit
One thing’s for certain, no one ever has or ever will say “Merry Old England.” That’s like fingernails on a blackboard 😬
MrsStinley@reddit
I think ‘I messed up’ is quite American. I might say ‘I mucked that up’ for a not too serious mistake. Or à serious mistake that you are trying to make light of.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
For a serious mistake when you want to admit fault, what would you use?
GavUK@reddit
If you want to avoid swear words, then "I screwed up" is common. Otherwise "fucked up", "ballsed up".
"Messed up" gives the impression of a minor mistake, but might still be used for more serious cases, but with the emotions regarding the situation, people are more likely to say "screwed/ballsed/fucked up" or similar.
For a pretty minor case messing up or doing something badly, we might say "made a hash (out) of", e.g.: "You've made a right hash of cooking dinner. I'll go and get us some takeaway, and you're paying." (We call "take-out" "takeaway" here).
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
I don’t mind swearing! It fits with the characters imo. I heard “I fucked it” is a term that works.
Averyingyoursympathy@reddit
I've fucked it, or I've ballsed it up.
curiousorange76@reddit
And 'made a pig's ear of...'
Capable_Loss_6084@reddit
I bollocksed / buggered / cocked that up.
I royally cocked that one up, didn’t I?
-You_Cant_Stop_Me-@reddit
I say "I made a boo boo" if it's really bad, the severity of the incident is inverse to how bad the report of saide incident is.
kittyl48@reddit
If they're boarding school and that sort of class, they might not actually admit it.
It might be a Misunderstanding.
'it was a misunderstanding, darling!'
Namelessbob123@reddit
I fucked up
pcor@reddit
The despatch box.
anabsentfriend@reddit
I'd say I've fucked it up.
2ManySpliffs@reddit
Let’s be honest, most Brits would say “oh I fucked it up”
Helenarth@reddit
Where in the UK has he spent a significant amount of time? That'll affect things pretty drastically.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Surrey! And went to a prestigious boarding school just outside London from 14-18. He spent many holidays in the US.
Twisted_paperclips@reddit
"Living the dream" as a response to Alright? Needs adding
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
lol, I love that. Thank you!
notmyusername1986@reddit
An important one to note would in in relation to the Mothers character: if she is upper class (or just had basic etiquette lessons), when greeting someone with "How do you do." (and it is a statement, like 'hello', not a question), the actual correct response is also "How do you do."
Most people these days tend to respond to it as a question, but it is something subtle that can hint at class/education etc. which is the kind of thing I live spotting in books/tv/film.
Also, in general it would be 'film', not 'movie'.
Outside-Parfait-8935@reddit
I feel like how do you do is becoming a bit obsolete even among posh people, unless it's quite a formal occasion.
notmyusername1986@reddit
Oh absolutely. But for the mother's character, it is likely she would have used it, and might comment on a younger person not using the 'correct' response. Depending on context, it could be an insight into the longterm implications of class divide, or a funny bit, eg
person/romantic partner being introduced to parents:"How do you do?"
Mother:"How do you do"
Person, confused: "How do you do" And so on for an awkward 30 seconds until the main character breaks in to explain and end the exchange.
Granted it would work better in a film as a joke, but it could also work in writing if done properly.
Weird-Gap5019@reddit
"Alright? Alright" etc isn't "posh", so your character might not say them
tetlee@reddit
Or just
It works as both the question and the answer. Might also be "Alright mate?" to start.
Tiny-Wrap7332@reddit
This puzzled me when I arrived in Cornwall (late 60s) from the Colonies. Short and simple.
tetlee@reddit
Yeah my American friends don't get it. Similar to how British people don't quite know how to take "How are you doing?". Took me a while to see it not as a real question but a greeting. "Not bad" is my go to respone for a bit of Britishism.
sraffnik@reddit
Or the classic “Alright?” “Yeah, you?” “Yeah”
Pileroidsareapain@reddit
Yeah! Fair to middlin’! You? As an alternative.
ASquabbleOfGremlins@reddit
It’s also used sarcastically!
Alternative-Ad3405@reddit
I'm pretty sure it's only used sarcastically. Or maybe I've just never met anyone who is literally living their dream life.
Out_rising@reddit
Op should absolutely include this one. It's a staple
Low-Support-7090@reddit
My personal favourite, although I’m Welsh, when someone asks how I am, I simply say “alive”
agnus_agnus@reddit
My postman says this, in his deadpan Brummie accent, almost every time I say "alright" or ask him how he is. If it's pissing it down with rain and he's behind on his round, he'll absolutely definitely say it.
biggooner1989@reddit
Sounds very American TBH
toroferney@reddit
Not when a Brit says it in what’s unmistakably a sarcastic tone!
Comfortable_Ad_4267@reddit
Binge watch British tv or films. Might give you more insight specifically into English culture.
What you've written isn't just cricket old chap. One prime example is when ones drunk they are 'pissed up'.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Do you have any recommendations that capture how people speak today? Thanks :)
ObscenelyWonk@reddit
Watching unscripted TV shows would also help for more natural speaking, something like Bake Off or Taskmaster if you’re wanting some banter
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
I’ll check them out! Thank you :) Do you know any shows where the characters sound like what posh people would sound like today?
Bad_Combination@reddit
Check out Gogglebox. It has people from most walks of life including very posh and a very wide range of accents.
nonsequitur__@reddit
Made in Chelsea
Miasmata@reddit
Watch the Inbetweeners for some prime English slang lol
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
🫡
deusxm@reddit
Just be aware that the Inbetweeners is 15 years behind the language curve and some of Jay's phrasing is deliberately over the top. I don't think anyone in Britain would non-ironically say they were knee deep in clunge or that she was frothing at the gash.
Time-Mode-9@reddit
Also bumder and bus-wankers are words created for that programme
ImpossibleOil8427@reddit
Watching Ted Lasso could be useful. It’s based in the UK but the main character is American, so it may help?
I’d also recommend finding videos on TikTok or YouTube of Americans living in the UK, they will have insight on the differences between our languages (and quirks, body language, etiquette, etc.) that maybe we wouldn’t notice amongst ourselves.
kldc87@reddit
Jack Whitehall, travels with my father. Rich family perspective, OTT.
Ameglian@reddit
Possibly because I’m currently watching it - maybe try Slow Horses. A mixture of posh and normal people. Lots of excellent dialogue. London-centric though.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
London centric is great. Him and his family live in London and Surrey. I’ll give it a go!
Comfortable_Ad_4267@reddit
Just watch any present day British based tv shows or films.
notmyusername1986@reddit
Terry Pratchetts Discworld books have a decent range of examples, especially the ones with the City Watch (the rougher sort), Lady Sybil (tippy top of upper crust nobility while still being down-to-earth), and Unseen University (Ridcully being the pinnacle example of self absorbed, detached from reality, upper middle class/lower upper class through a combination of contacts and good luck).
happymisery@reddit
The correct phrasing is “pissed up on booze”
Professional-Day6965@reddit
I've said "pissed up" but never "pissed up on booze".
The booze is implied
happymisery@reddit
It’s from The Day Today
https://x.com/Morris_Bits/status/1102474190790295557
Professional-Day6965@reddit
Fuck. I can't believe I missed that.
As you were
happymisery@reddit
😆
ThrowingAway19674@reddit
Go check out r/Viz if you want some good British humour.
Their profanisaurus would give you plenty of useful terms too 👍
_MightyMus_@reddit
Just remember that his Mum (not Mom!) is from old money. 😜
Otherwise all fairly reasonable phrases. Only one I don’t really like is the “lot of energy” one. Not something I hear at all in conversation in the UK.
Cultural_Fun_444@reddit
I’m late twenties, grew up lower middle class for the most part and have parents who grew up working class. I use the following in everyday speech: last time I checked (or last I checked), miracle worker (but only in the phrase ‘I’m not a miracle worker’), drunk (what is the alternative lol), plus, dad, literally (gets used a lot), I can pull that off (although more often ‘I could pull that off’), shit, I fucked up, just a heads up, you okay and hang out.
The others I might hear from older people but the ones I find weird are: get my fix, joke that actually lands, easy there, oh man and the energy one.
New-account-01@reddit
Don't forget the character would call his 'Mom' mum or mummy if using UK English.
hotwheels_x@reddit
Or mam if you’re northern, a lot of mancs use mam
GritstoneGrandma@reddit
Not if his mum was posh and/or southern.
lapsongsue@reddit
Old money swear more than you think, and it's not 'bloody' or 'bugger', the big four letter ones.
GritstoneGrandma@reddit
This
Mickleborough@reddit
But if he’s lived in the US and interacted with Americans, he’d Americanisms, no? Also lots of American English used in the UK thanks to the telly.
Sounds like you’re wanting specifically British phases, eg:
- relating to tea: ‘Is the kettle on?’ ‘Shall I be mother?’
- understating: ‘That’s a bit of…’ Ranging from ‘a bit of all right’ (attractive female) to ‘a bit of a mess’ (a f- up).
- calling people ‘mate’ (that’d be the working class dad’s influence’)
GritstoneGrandma@reddit
Mate is good and common for middle class London boys to use when they're trying to sound cool.
Shall I be mother - absolutely not.
GritstoneGrandma@reddit
Not car crash telly. I know what you mean but wouldn't say it nowadays. Just say you watch a lot of crap.
'that’s a lot of ___ energy you’re giving me (playful)' - I don't know what you mean by this. No.
I can pull that off (about wearing or doing something) - I can pull 'it' off, maybe - not that. But more common to say it about someone else though
Wouldn't actually say easy there. Use calm down.
Shit is fine. But don't be scared of fuck or FFS.
I don't picture a guy saying 'oh please'. It sounds very forced. If anything, a teenager girl. I'd drop it.
Keeping it light again sounds like something you wouldn't actually say.
Again, put joke that actually lands in a sentence-? I wouldn't really say lands.
Rest is fine.
Feel free to check more stuff. Is he supposed to be a bit of a posh lad? If so I'd add some 'bro's in a plummy accent, but I'm being slightly facetious.
VegetableWeekend6886@reddit
I would say ‘fucked it’ instead of ‘fucked up’ or ‘messed up’ . Also presumably you know that ‘mom’ is mum here
maxvolume56@reddit
I haven't seen a lot of people in the comments talking about the class system yet - which I think is something a lot of American authors miss, because the class system in the UK functions so differently to the class system in the US. Class is so deeply entrenched in every part of our society, it will have had a huge impact on your character's upbringing; and it will continue to impact your character whenever they are in the UK interacting with other British people. There's a lot of rules to it that we almost intrinsically understand because we've grown up in it; that people who haven't grown up in it don't usually know unless they've done a fair amount of research.
For example, your character's father being "lower-middle class" from Manchester. If your character is in his 30s, I'm guessing his father was born in the 1960s or early 70s. Now, of course there were middle class people in Manchester at that time; but traditionally & historically, the majority of people from The North would be working class. This is a time when most people in the area would have been working in factories, at the port, potentially in the mines, etc. - which are all working class jobs. Importantly though; in 80s, the Thatcher government was shutting down a lot of production in the UK (this is the time of the miner's strikes, etc.). So as your character's father is growing up, there's major economic depression & rapidly spiking unemployment in the area. It would be very unlikely for someone in that area at that time to be considered lower-middle class; they're far more likely to be working class, and may well have experienced actual poverty in their lifetime. So if you want to have this character be lower middle class; there has to be an actual explanation for that.
Also, you have to understand that class mobility in this country is almost non-existent. Moving within sectors of a class (i.e.: lower middle to true middle or upper middle) is relatively common; but to actually move from working class to middle class generally would involve a generational gap - so if you're working class, but you have middle class money; your kids might be considered middle class when they grow up, but you will likely always be working class. So even if your character's father does get rich (which I think you mentioned in a comment further up); he would still likely be working class. Now, with your character, if his mother is old money (which, in this country means her family owns land, maybe even a title) and his father is working class; his social class very much depends on how he grew up. If he grows up like his mother (private schools, set to inherit family money, etc.), he will likely be considered upper class - but other upper class people will look down on him because his father is working class.
Just realised I'm writing you an absolute essay, sorry 😂 TL;DR: social class matters almost as much as where your character grew up in terms of the slang they'd use. Good luck with your writing!
Oddball_bfi@reddit
Just please remember that we doing say 'bloody' anywhere near as much as America thinks we do.
scouttack88@reddit
You should probably ask this question in r/manchester if you haven't already to see if there's any slang sayings. I don't think middle class from a northern city means they wouldn't use slang.
mralistair@reddit
"I messed up/ I fucked up -underdog " deosn't really mean you are an underdog, just means you made a mistake..
Car crash telly is not a phrase normal people would use but you might hear it on TV,
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
The formatting is incorrect, underdog is just a word I was also inquiring about. It’s not attached to I messed up/I fucked up
GavUK@reddit
An underdog is someone in disadvantaged circumstances or who doesn't look like they can win (both in dramas and in real life).
British people tend to like to see them actually go on to succeed/win, particularly if it is at the expense of an over-confident/cocky/arrogant/brash protagonist (ironically how we tend to see some Americans) or against the odds (American films that show this latter case are, for example, "Cool Runnings" and "Hidden Figures").
mralistair@reddit
so you messed up.
robparfrey@reddit
Bugger or bloody hell are phases i use on the daily as a brit.
Full_Initiative_3956@reddit
Throwing a Paddy, taking the Mick.
MasterPreparation687@reddit
Worth noting that in the UK, "middle class" doesn't mean the same thing as it does in the US. Middle class here means posh, quite wealthy, kids at private school/expensive nannies, horses etc. Everyone else is working class or at the opposite end of the scale, gentry.
harrietmjones@reddit
Easy there would most likely be just Easy or Whoah! Easy!. That sort of thing.
Also, Car Crash Telly is correct but Car Crash TV sounds more likely to me tbh.
WhatWhoNoShe@reddit
Loads of regional variation with common terms - expressions of surprise, childhood games, places, items of food, insults, terms of endearment and more can all be regional. You'll hear them outside of the region but it often points to the person having a connection to that region (e.g. me calling a small alleyway a ginnel).
Gordon Bennett! Christ on a Bike! Blimey! That's a load of rubbish! Y'alright (hello - no answer needed) Nice one = cheers, thanks Mr Whippy = soft ice cream with a flake, typically served from an ice cream van. Cuppa = cup of tea Fairy cake = cupcake Ice lolly = Popsicle Knickers = women's underpants ("don't get your knickers in a twist") Nip to the loo = quickly go to the bathroom Naff = tacky
You bellend/tosser/arsehole/dickhead/twat/nob/wazzock/pillock etc. Can be said lovingly.
A&E = "emergency room" GP = "doctor's office"/going to see the pediatrician/gynecologist/etc for a routine appointment Jabs = routine vaccinations Paracetamol = Tylenol Plaster = Band Aid Practically any noun with -ed added to it can mean "very drunk" in a humourous way.
WhatWhoNoShe@reddit
I often find that US-made stories about posh Brits make them too foppish/neat and tidy. There are quite a few types of posh Brits, but the "old money"/adjacent to aristocracy type that I've known: love dogs, have houses covered in dog hair, own a mixture of old & new furniture including things that are falling apart, drink, swear, like dry humour but get very rude in friendly company, enjoy a mixture of expensive and simple things (e.g. gaudy costume jewellery alongside large sapphires), shop frugally in the supermarket (the bread nobbies thing in Succession is very accurate). And regardless of class, something everyone in Britain says about 100 times a day is "I'll pop the kettle on".
ImaginationInside610@reddit
The ‘mom’ thing definitely not in the south at least - only in the context of ‘mommydoesporn.com’
Ameglian@reddit
I’m Irish, but we watch a lot of British tv - and there’s a lot of Brits in Ireland.
You need to consider where your character grew up - not just his parents - and what kind of education he had, and when he moved to the US.
And “pissed” = drunk in the UK. “Pissed off” is fed up.
Express-Motor8292@reddit
As someone else said, it’s mom in the midlands and it’s mam in a lot of other parts of the country.
Ameglian@reddit
In England?? I did not know that. There’s some Irish people that say something akin to ‘Mom’, as in with a particular accent the pronunciation of mother in Irish (as Gaeilge) could be abbreviated to ‘Mom’. Not quite, in my opinion. But there’s something there.
Express-Motor8292@reddit
All other the North it’s mam more than anything else, though it does depend a bit on class.
Ameglian@reddit
I’m wondering now if that’s an inherited Irish thing. I remember reading over Brexit that there’s a huge number of English people with at least one Irish grandparents
Express-Motor8292@reddit
I mean it could be the other way around. For example, people in Scotland and Northern England use “aye”, but most people consider it Scottish, even though it’s actually old English and has Norse roots.
That said, I don’t actually know! However, there is a tendency for people to think of anything that’s non-standard English as coming from somewhere else, which ignores the rich variety of English spoken across England.
Ameglian@reddit
True, true. I’m Irish - but there’s a lot of Brits here (actually very few Welsh - mostly English and some Scottish). I’m used to different expressions from different areas of Britain, but I’d have no knowledge of areas that I either never saw on tv / never encountered in person. My sister is married to an English guy, and we’ve almost assimilated him
Express-Motor8292@reddit
Did you have to de-English him first? Haha
Ameglian@reddit
Na, we just Irish-ed him 😱
Express-Motor8292@reddit
Careful, you may just be painting over the cracks! Without a thorough cleansing the Englishness could come out! Haha
Fun-Brush5136@reddit
Mom is mainly Birmingham & surrounding areas. It sounds quite different to the US one when said aloud in the brummy accent. (the o is much shorter like in bob)
Ameglian@reddit
That’s so interesting. Although I’m afraid every time that I read ‘Bob’ it’s via Blackadder
Hamsternoir@reddit
Certainly not 'mom' in the East Midlands.
nonsequitur__@reddit
Well mum depends on which part of Britain - could be mum, mom, mam, ma.
Trenchyjj@reddit
What's this "drunk" phrase you're using?
zezblit@reddit
I'm 28 and use 90% of these on the regular
RobsonSweets@reddit
Please remember we Southerners call mothers "mum", not "mom", but his dad might refer to her as his "mam".
Fast-Fruit-8569@reddit
British peeps these days say "to be fair" a lot. An awful lot. Usually just before or after they've rubbished someoneo
GavUK@reddit
It really matters where he is growing up and going to school in the UK - accents and dialect can change in as little as 30 miles and various things that people who grew up in parts of northern England (let alone Scotland) might say are going to be very different to what someone who grew up in the home counties.
Also, with a mother who has significant money, did he go to a posh fee-paying school (which we ironically call a "public school"), to an independent school, or to a state school? If the former (posh), then his accent and sayings will be very different, as likely would be his attitude to others, although his father and his family might help ground him regarding 'normal' people.
Note that British sarcasm is usually more subtle compared to America sarcasm, ditto for humour. Oh, and don't forget that for British signs you mention - and perhaps even what the British characters are saying? - you should make sure it is written in the British spelling - such as 'humour' vs 'humor', 'honour' vs 'honor', etc.
Moving back and forth between the US and UK though, I imagine that there might be some things he will have picked up from the US and still uses in the UK (not sure if "cool" is still a think teens say in the US, but that sort of thing), perhaps sometimes to the puzzlement of those who haven't spent much time around him, although he's probably not going to be making mistakes saying things that people who grew up in America but only moved to the UK as an older child or adult might (e.g. "fanny pack" instead of "bum bag" which is what we usually call them here).
Emotional-Brief3666@reddit
To be very fair, all of those are excellent and well observed. Maybe not the energy one. However as others have said, it depends on where in the UK it is set. 20 miles makes a difference here. And I'm not having a laugh or trying to piss on your chips.
Wonderful-Dog-8118@reddit
No shit sherlock / No fucking shit - if someone states the obvious My old man/My old dear - your Dad and your mum Are you winding me up? Are you having a laugh? Are you taking the piss? - When you don't believe what you're hearing and it makes you angry You're a fucking wind-up merchant - When someone really irritates you Bloody hell - When you hear or see something that's surprising/unexpected My family swear alot. They're from East London and use the word c*nt as a term of endearment.
hotwheels_x@reddit
Watch Friday night dinner. It is a decent example of family life and dynamics lol and it comes with a shitload of colloquialisms used in everyday English
Wasps_are_bastards@reddit
There’s at least 10 ways to say drunk lol
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Is sloshed one of those ways? 🤞
Wasps_are_bastards@reddit
Hammered, fucked, shit faced, arseholed, twatted, pissed, wrecked, trashed, wasted are ones I’d use. Sloshed is more the thing I’d expect an older or posh person to say I think.
notmyusername1986@reddit
Also the ever popular "Off my/his/her/their (insert body part of choice)".
hotwheels_x@reddit
Off their trolley / off their rocker is a good one for crazies
Wasps_are_bastards@reddit
Nuts and tits are my most common ones!
ImpossibleOil8427@reddit
https://youtu.be/O597Bs6LZ7U?si=KvHvdAhfECerkkIB
nonsequitur__@reddit
A bit old fashioned but yes
CityOfNorden@reddit
Yes! Sloshed, Pissed, Wankered, Rat Arsed, Smashed, Ruined... the list goes on.
hotwheels_x@reddit
Northern lass here, the main greeting as you pass someone is “y’alright?” not actually waiting around for the answer
WillJM89@reddit
All ok except easy there
brill37@reddit
No one would really say car crash telly, we'd say "trash TV" or "brian rot" or something to that effect more likely.
AceOfSpades532@reddit
Do Americans call their dads “father” usually?
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
No, they usually use dad. But I think based on his mum’s background, I wondered if he might say father. But I’ll go with dad.
nonsequitur__@reddit
Even most people who would refer to their dad as their father when talking about them would use dad when talking to them.
PresentationOld4693@reddit
I second that
jayphelps57@reddit
Never “movie” never vest it’s a waistcoat, Alright should be returned with alright it’s not a question?! Old posh bloke might say “old chap” Remember that traditionally the British class system is not about money or income but background , breeding and education, and polite levels of behaviour.
No-Meeting-7955@reddit
Car crash tv -we’d just say shite telly (means easy to watch / play on your phone at the same time)
Ionby@reddit
Shit is used as a descriptor. Eg. I’m feeling shit, the weather’s shit, I’m sorry you’re having a shit time lately. But if it’s an object then it’s a piece of shit. Eg. that car’s a piece of shit.
A person can also be a piece of shit, or a shithead. A piece of shit is an intentionally nasty, hateful person. A shithead is more ignorant and unpleasant who makes like harder for others, but not necessarily fucking up on purpose.
I don’t think “shit” is used much an expletive by adults. You wouldn’t stub your toe and say “shit”, you’d probably go with “fuck”. But my husband (also British) vehemently disagrees and says it’s the most common swear word he hears.
Dickie131313@reddit
MUM!
Charming_Ad2323@reddit
See Steve Coogan
Ashfield83@reddit
Oh man isn’t common. Oh God, CHRIST ALMIGHTY, oh fuck are more what I’d say (I’m in no way religious)
deathofasinner@reddit
Watch some coronation street! That could only help lmao! Its set in Manchester, so at least you can hear people talking naturally (to a degree)
Willerby01@reddit
It is MUM, not Mom, as soon as I hear that I know I am dealing with an American.
plitts@reddit
I have literally never said "oh man".
Specialist-Web7854@reddit
Easy there doesn’t sound right, sounds more Irish than British, but only because I think Father Dougal said it in Father Ted.
Organic-Can7856@reddit
We tend to say TV not telly. Telly seems more 1970’s
JCDU@reddit
car crash telly doesn't mean trashy as such - it's something you can't take your eyes off even though you probably should / wish you could, so Prince Andrew's interview with Emily Maitliss would just as well be described as a car crash as some trashy reality show.
OkTechnician4610@reddit
Oh man - thats American more than uk. Couldn’t pick u out if a line up - nope not that one either . Keeping it light - nope Joke actually land - another nope never heard that one
Hashtagbarkeep@reddit
The energy one and hang out are not very english in my opinion, otherwise all good
shitwickk@reddit
just refer to every one as a cunt or silly cunt and you'll be golden
Jesters__Dead@reddit
I'd say car crash tv, not telly
I wouldn't say miracle worker sarcastically. It's more of a compliment if someone fixes a problem
I might say "yeah alright Einstein" if I was mocking someone
Shkrimtare@reddit
If his mum is posh, she would not be happy with her son saying telly instead of TV.
Snuggleworthy@reddit
Or "no shit, Sherlock" if someone says something too obvious.
I'd also say TV not telly come to think about it.
Jet_McRoxy@reddit
Car crash telly..... in the 30s?? Telly? Tv only became properly common in the 40s at the earliest and absolutely nobody would have called it TELLY that that point, it would have still been "television"
Jet_McRoxy@reddit
Please don't..... I see what I did there.... I feel dim enough without anyone saying anything, hahahah
whatswestofwesteros@reddit
Car crash telly would just be trash TV, be sure to include the word "mate" where you can
"Im off me fucking tits mate" verbatim drunk me.
Vena_Mala@reddit
I use the phrase "car crash TV", and I call TV "telly", but something about "car crash telly" sounds wrong. Can't really explain why, it's just too many britishisms in one.
whatswestofwesteros@reddit
Never heard car crash telly either and I tend to call it the telly, trash TV is what I call trash programming.
GnaphaliumUliginosum@reddit
I would hope that a public-school, Oxbridge parent would have slapped down the use of 'literally' to mean its exact opposite. I still bristle when I hear others use some grammatical errors that were regularly challenged when I was growing up, and I would never want to use them myself.
There's also some slang that you would naturally stop using in the US as it always attracts attention/amusement, 'Bollocks' being an obvioud example. Though he may still use it in conversation with close friends and family from the UK - code switching happens mosstly subconciously. Likewise his accent will have changed, but will come back when talking to other British people - the accent will likely be mostly from where he was brought up, but with some elements of both RP and Manchester.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
I’ve removed any use of the word “literally” unless used properly. The character has lived between the US and UK for most of his life, but thank you for the mention of code-switching, that super important to keep in mind.
nonsequitur__@reddit
Also using super sounds v American, although it’s seeping in
West_Inside_3112@reddit
Unless used in exaggeration, as in superduper.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
That’s just my way of speaking
nonsequitur__@reddit
Oh of course. I meant it would be noticeable if you used it in your character’s speech.
pineapplewin@reddit
Just to double down on the code switching; it will matter where in the States he goes, and in what context. Did he spend every other school year in rural Ohio? Will he say 4th grade or year 5? Reception or kindergarten? Was it summers with other wealthy people his age in the Northeast and then how did he handle the summer schedules not lining up? It'll be 6 weeks to the first week of September for most British schools, so if you had mates in the states they'd be back in school already. It will make a big difference if he regularly traveled in the States versus returning to the same place for extended periods.
I've now lived about half my life in either country and switch pretty quick when I'm speaking to people in Britain or people in the states. You tend to find people switch more on location than company, but I will start saying Tylenol instead of paracetamol, trash instead of rubbish, putting 'like' in the middle of the sentence of the instead of the end.
JulesCT@reddit
You can keep 'literally' if it is being used by someone either: 1) taking the piss out of a younger person who misuses it, or someone 2) young enough to not speak the King's English correctly and not care about it.
kliq-klaq-@reddit
I'm 38, have a PhD, live in Manchester, and use literally in the way you're writing literally all the time, both in writing and irl.
yIdontunderstand@reddit
I don't think English people would ever say drunk unless it's for a very formal response.. It will always be a euphemism instead.....
He was plastered
... Shitfaced
.... Wankered
.... Cunted...
... Totally pissed (not angry!)
... Hammered...
Etc etc etc.. There is a million ways.
SillyStallion@reddit
For drunk use the word totally followed by literally any other word.
shelleypiper@reddit
Apart from car crash telly, all sound fine.
I am not sure that car crash telly just means trash TV.
acabxox@reddit
“Mum”.
stiggley@reddit
Car Crash TV can also be used when see something not on TV you know is about to go wrong, so you stay and watch it. eg. Painters and you know the paint can is gonna fall, or a parent trying to control kids and a dog - and the dog runs off, or that idiot at work trying to present someone elses work they know nothing about to upper management. You stay and watch for the resulting chaos - its car crash tv.
PipBin@reddit
I’m 50 and say all of these.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Do you know if car crash telly is a commonly used phrase, especially for millennials? Thank you!
ZestyMonstera@reddit
We'd call it trash TV
keithmk@reddit
rubbish rather than trash
ZestyMonstera@reddit
I don't know any millenial that would call it "rubbish TV", it's "trash TV"
RedderPeregrine@reddit
Not the same thing. Trash telly/TV is junky programming, absolutely garbage of a show but you know it and watch anyway. Reality tv shows are classic examples of trash tv.
Car crash TV is when the programme ends up being a disaster or shocking or falls apart, but you can’t stop watching. Like seeing a car crash - It’s horrifying but you can’t stop looking.
Strawberry_Spring@reddit
Car crash TV is used, but not really to mean trashy reality shows. More like events/interviews that are controversial, or shocking in some way, but you can't stop watching. Like staring at a car crash as you drive by
Notable British examples would be things like the Prince Andrew interview, Matt Hancock crying during a COVID interview, or celebs being racist towards Shilpa Shetty in Big Brother
The average Love Island episode is just trashy
RedderPeregrine@reddit
Car crash TV, rather than telly, would be the most common way of saying that phrase. We use telly for lots of things though and it wouldn’t sound particularly out of place.
It’s a phrase used by Boomers down to older Gen Z, but I could imagine some Millennials and a good number of Gen Z not having heard of it.
PipBin@reddit
Car crash telly is common in my generation and I would think millennials would understand it, no idea if they would use it.
notmyusername1986@reddit
I'd never say it, but I definitely heard it growing up and would understand it.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Thank you very much!
AlternativePea6203@reddit
For North of England slang watch Brassic.
ChocolateFruitloop@reddit
Wouldn't that be working class rather than middle class though?
Averyingyoursympathy@reddit
Upper middle class would find it odd but lower middle would get it.
Ameglian@reddit
Oh excellent call! And it’s hilarious.
DuckyMcQuackatron@reddit
Millennial checking in.
I wouldn't use it, but I understand it's meaning. I'd associate this with something my parents would say.
_eldubs_@reddit
Hey I'm a millennial and I've never really used that phrase, but I would understand it.
I'd probably say something like "junk TV"
notmyusername1986@reddit
Millennial here. Car crash telly would be more my mother's generation. She was born in 1951.
Maoife@reddit
That's not what it means though. It means something is so cringe or someone has done so badly it's like watching a car crash. Like, a politician giving a terrible interview.
_eldubs_@reddit
It's still not a phrase I'd really use. I'd just say cringe tv
notyourwheezy@reddit
do millennials also say tv more commonly than telly?
ImpossibleOil8427@reddit
I’d say so, I rarely hear anyone under the age of maybe 40 say Telly. It’s always TV.
CityOfNorden@reddit
"Flumph Telly"
evelynsmee@reddit
I'm a millennial (38) and not really, it's a bit old. Probably because we don't watch much TV anymore. It will depend when your book is set, it would work for the 90s or 00s but not really anymore
Wubbleyou_@reddit
Shit telly
CharlieBigTimeUK@reddit
It's usually car crash TV
SocieteRoyale@reddit
I'd say that and I am 38
herefromthere@reddit
Same, 40.
oily_fish@reddit
I'm a millennial and I haven't heard anyone say car crash telly for a long time
incrediblepepsi@reddit
Same. The phrase I know is "car crash TV" and that would be something older gens say, but only in specific cases, that may be difficult to get the nuance right as a non native speaker.
Maybe OP could consider what they are trying to convey, rather than use a phrase.
"Oh not this shite again, he's got less braincells than teeth! Put something else on!"
Squeak_Stormborn@reddit
I'm a millenial. Never heard of it.
Anxious-Commercial10@reddit
Google the UK Urban dictionary or even better Viz's profanosaurus. The book is available on Amazon. https://amzn.eu/d/8c9Zsp1
Pileroidsareapain@reddit
Drunk? Nah! Slaughtered, wankered, bollocksed (can mean tired) and trollied, to add a few. Just about any word really, especially if one prefixes it with “absolutely”.
Sad-Consequence-2015@reddit
"just a heads up" oh wow is this person looking for a punch in the gob. They are probably queuing patiently behind another person who keeps saying "the get go" instead of "from the start".
Proper Brit-isms:
"I'm not being funny' when suggesting not trying to be offensive. 98% chance they are being offensive and know it
"Sorry" instead of "excuse me". No they aren't, they just have an opinion or a pressing need to get past some self absorbed tw*t who is in their way.
"Colour". Nothing wrong with that. Its the correct spelling.
"I wouldn't vote for any of them". The French had the right idea in the late 18th century. Bl**dy French.
"Europe". It's a bit like "Empire". We don't like to talk about it. It had good bits and bad bits. We miss it but we won't say it.
See also "Brexit was great and here's a long list of the ways I have personally profited from it". Yeah, nobody says that.
"Wills and Kate are great". They're ok. Definitely means Kate is doing a good job as the Nation's Mum, William is a bit posh but it's not his fault. Do I get another day off?
"I'm a Republican smash the Monarchy" I have no idea about these things but believe another elected fckwt will make things better and mysteriously the NHS will cost less.
Master & Commander is tied with Zulu as the greatest "British" film. Both tied in second place behind the Italian Job (69 not that travesty with Marky Mark).
"I'm voting for Reform". Really NOT voting Reform but looking for some actual competence from, well anyone really short of the Nazi party. Even the Greens.
"The Nazi party". My dad/grandad/mum/grandma did their bit. It wasn't a big deal they just got on with it. People were nicer to each other back then.
"During the War". Any time between 1939 and Thatcher.
"Thatcher". Either the devil or a saint. Definitely not a human being who got something right, plenty wrong. Apparently still alive today and worth talking about endlessly. See also "Empire".
"It's an immigrant problem". It really isn't but the alternative is I have to face up to some hard truths about my own attitudes to life, work and taxation, so yeah, stop the boats!
"The NHS is great". I can't get a doctor's appointment but no way am I paying more tax. Potholes are an immigrant problem!
"I can't afford a house". Ok that's a fair one. Maybe vote for the Nazi party next time?
"Bitter?" Thanks I'll have a pint.
LochNessMother@reddit
Just a heads up - there aren’t any boarding schools in London.
SilverBirches123@reddit
Quite a few in outer London. Harrow for one.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Would outer London still be referred to as London, or would people specify that it’s outer London
LochNessMother@reddit
It really depends on how far out and who is talking - people have different definitions of what is London. (with my zone2 north London bias, I don’t consider Croydon to be London, but lots of people from Croydon do).
But if you are an American writer, you are likely to be making all sorts of microerrors that will undermine the authenticity of your writing, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.
ignatiusjreillyXM@reddit
The pre-1965 counties are still referred to by a fair number of people who weren't born until well after the boundaries changed. So, Harrow is Middlesex, Kingston is Surrey, Romford is Essex, etc. "Outer London" might be used too, but more sparingly (and probably more in regard to the ex-Middlesex places, and very much less to the Essex ones)
LochNessMother@reddit
Harrow is Harrow not London.
SilverBirches123@reddit
London Borough of Harrow.
Capable_Loss_6084@reddit
I went to one in Zone 5.
Capable_Loss_6084@reddit
And St Paul’s and Westminster are both in Zone 1.
MaliceTheSwift@reddit
Afaik they’re both private day schools. Happy to be corrected though.
Capable_Loss_6084@reddit
They are mainly day schools but Westminster still has a boarding department (180 pupils) and St Paul’s has a v small one.
Capable_Loss_6084@reddit
Admittedly the school I went to was also mainly a day school with a tiny boarding department.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Thanks :) I created a fictional one just outside London!
AWingedVictory1@reddit
Car crash TV. Not telly. Otherwise good
LuDdErS68@reddit
"Sack the juggler!", usually accompanied by a loud cheer when someone drops something (especially in a pub).
Much hilarity ensues.
garethchester@reddit
Depending on just now "proper Manc" his dad is (and therefore how big the class divide between parents), he'd be an expert in code-switching - mam/mum, tea/dinner/lunch etc depending on which side of the family he was talking to. Which would be a skill he's inadvertently taken over to the States and would blend in a bit more than you might expect
AttentionOtherwise80@reddit
'Old money' would not use the word 'telly', it would be TV or television, but 'car crash TV' would be fine.
DaddysFriend@reddit
Do people really call their dad farther in other countries? That seems so formal
Careful-Coffee280@reddit
I feel like "easy there" is quite old fashioned and even then mostly used around horses and/or from more posh folk (who owned horses), not really something you hear in the everyday. "Car crash telly" was something we said in the 90s but I've not heard it in decades!
Everything else sounds like normal stuff all generations say. There are probably millennial-specific things that 30 year old say but they'll be more flash in the pan trends rather than just normal parlance like most of what you have here. None of your list sounded forced or false to me apart from those two.
Careful-Coffee280@reddit
"a load of rubbish" especially from someone a bit older, disparaging whatever the younger generation are into, including TV. I think most people would just say "Rubbish TV" .
Sensitive-Vast-4979@reddit
Im gorm Northumberland sl mine may be different to southerners
But
For the tv one itd probs be " sunday night telly " or just soemthing liek " shit tv "
Ive only heard the miracle worker one on old really unfunny comedy programmes
Ive heard thats rich coming from you when hearing a couple arguing especially when theyre from Essex idk why .
For last tiem I checked there also last time I looked there was a ____ there
Idk about the energy one
Ive heard oh man but more as a joke or when doing it like how an american would as a joke or mocking someone
Yep ive heard rough around the edges a decent amount
Never heard plus in that way ,
Every says for father either dad or fava/fatha pronounced exactly how ive spelt it
Literally only reslly used in a mocking stupid voice or a sassy voice
"I can pull that off" usally used when doing soemthing stupid like jumping from one building to the next ,
Yep lucky me is used
If being a dick for easy,there itd just be easy or just calm down in a stupid voice , if its serious actually, itd be , calm down your alreet
Yep at eachothers throats is used ,also at eachothers necks or at eachother something at arms (forogt what the word is that something is representing)
Yep shit is used
Never heard the couldnt pick u up from a crowd . But I think ive heard something similair to , I couldn't pick you out of a crowd of geese
I fucked up is used
Just a heads up isnt really used , its usally , just to warn,you
Yep please is used in that way now much but i have heard it
Heard peace offering but never heard it actually used
Never heard , get my fix
Yep , one hit wonder is used
Yep you ok , or you alreet used in place of alright
Keeping it light ive heard before but idk where
Gan out , is used more than hang out
Ive heard joke that actually lands
Gildor12@reddit
Last time I checked and I couldn’t pick you out of a line up don’t sound British
louilondon@reddit
I’m born and raised in east London in my 40’s and never use or hear any of them
TheRealSlabsy@reddit
His *Mum
weedywet@reddit
I’d suggest pissed rather than drunk. Or perhaps legless.
Steady on, rather than easy there.
All right? Rather than ‘okay?’
Heads up and keeping it light feel a bit too American to me.
nonsequitur__@reddit
Heads up is common where I am but I’m also 42 so perhaps it’s an age thing
ImpossibleOil8427@reddit
I’m 29 and hear both ‘just so you know’ and ‘heads up’ pretty interchangeably, from a wide age range. Though if I hear head up it’s usually more ‘just a quick heads up…’
Snuggleworthy@reddit
Maybe "just so you know" rather than heads up
RobPez@reddit
Some of these seem too American to me.
Sea-Still5427@reddit
Might be worth being aware that British and English aren't the same thing.
weedywet@reddit
I’d suggest pissed rather than drunk. Or perhaps legless.
Steady on, rather than easy there.
All right? Rather than ‘okay?’
Heads up and keeping it light feel a bit too American to me.
Sea-Still5427@reddit
My comment was as OP said 'a male British character'. It's important to understand how varied this small country is if you're going to try to reflect identities and voices.
neityght@reddit
Yes
AdThat328@reddit
The language used changes SO much between each town sometimes nevermind City or area. You'd need to know where he grew up for how he'd speak really. There are phrases from certain places that make no sense in others.
TumbleweedMaterial53@reddit
They are all okay, but not, Oh man. That just wouldn’t be used in the context of the character that you’re describing. You could also include : - it pissed me right off ( it annoyed me)
Plus, remember British people have a curious way of flipping the way they describe something as good or bad . For example, if someone’s had a terrible terrible day, they might say something like., I’ve had better days. On the country if they’ve had an okay day, but perhaps a few minor things went wrong which irritated them, they might say ‘today has been a nightmare’
I suggest you follow the thread on Instagram called, very British problems - as a Brit it’s hilarious because it describes us so well
Good luck with your book, OP
BG3restart@reddit
I've never heard 'car crash telly' at all and I've never heard 'miracle worker' used sarcastically, only positively, for instance, when the cleaner has finished 'Thanks so much, you're a real miracle worker'. I'm older and people of my generation casually say 'shit' a lot, for instance if we drop something. I think younger people are more likely to say 'fuck' just as casually. My kids are 30s and I can't remember hearing them say 'shit' but I heard 'fuck' many times (less since they've had kids themselves).
Maoife@reddit
Avoid any use of "could care less". It's "couldn't care less".
CharlieBigTimeUK@reddit
Few more for you if he's Manchester way
Knobhead: Mild insult Mardy / Mardy bum: Overly offended. Pissing down: raining Anging/ Minging: not pleasant Proper ____: Adds emphasis, "He's a proper knobhead" Our Kid: Family or close friend "Alright our kid"
Grass_Hurts@reddit
“His mom” should be “his mum”.
Eyeofthemeercat@reddit
I'd go with "I'd walk right past you in the street without noticing" instead of the lineup one. I've only ever seen line ups on American shows/movies.
vctrmldrw@reddit
car crash telly (Used to describe trashy reality tv), I’d love an equivalent of this phrase if it’s not common! Never heard of it. I'd just say reality TV.
miracle worker (sarcastic) Yeah
that’s rich Quite American. I'd say 'as if'
last time I checked (defensive/sarcastic) Yeah
that’s a lot of ___ energy you’re giving me (playful) Like small dick energy or something? No.
oh man 'bruv' or similar would be more modern
rough around the edges Yeah
drunk Formal, yeah. Casual would be 'pissed'
plus (as in “plus, he’s late again”) Yeah, more likely just and with emphasis
calls his father “dad” (not “father”) Yeah
literally (in the exaggerated modern sense) Modern but yes
I can pull that off (about wearing or doing something) Yeah
lucky me (sarcastic) Yeah
easy there (calming someone down, including sarcastically) Hmm... possibly. More likely 'chill out' I'd say.
at each other’s throats (arguing) Yeah
shit (frustration or emphasis/ just as an expletive) Yeah
I couldn’t pick you out of a line-up (meaning someone isn’t recognizable) No. We don't have line ups. More likely, wouldn't know you from Adam, or just wouldn't have clue who you are
I messed up/ I fucked up Either depending on context, the former in polite company. Or cocked up is somewhere in between.
-underdog Yeah
Just a heads up Sounds a bit American for some. Just so you know, more likely.
please (sarcastic use, like “oh please”) Oh come on. Oh whatever.
peace offering (after an argument) Yeah
get my fix (something you crave or need) Yeah, usually more specific so it's not confused with drugs. My coffee fix for example.
one hit wonder Yeah
you okay? / is this okay? (In place of alright?) Hmm. There are so many levels of checking that someone is okay. A lot depends on tone of voice. 'Alright' is most likely a greeting. 'You okay' more superficial, expecting little more than either a yes, or something noncommittal but meaning no. Genuinely wanting to know their state of mind would be something more involved. 'Are you okay...really', or 'is everything alright', and would be accompanied by an earnest tone.
keeping it light Yeah
hang out (as in spending time casually) Yeah
joke that actually lands Hmm...I haven't heard that. Not sure what an equivalent would be.
SallyNicholson@reddit
Write what you know about. You obviously don't know this or you wouldn't be asking the question. If you write what you don't know, you'll get found out.
Awellknownstick@reddit
We used to call an English breakfast a FatBoy or a Fataboy brekkie or breakfast .
Car crash TV - never heard of but Crap aTV or Shit TV.
Trump = nicer way of saying FART.
A few off the toppa me head mate.
Awellknownstick@reddit
Oh yeah galling folks a Geezer, if they're Nice but you don't know them personally
Status-Mousse5700@reddit
I’m an old fart and recognise all of these and use some not sure that they are correct for a mid 30s male and don’t see the US influence
DragonFeller@reddit
As an opposite of "I couldn't pick you out of a line up" (if needed) there's always "stick out like bollocks on a bulldog"
Lynex_Lineker_Smith@reddit
Well to storey its Mum. Not mom, unless they’re from Brum
RegularWhiteShark@reddit
Just England?
Backinamo@reddit
Upper class tend to call their parents "mummy and daddy"
Also they wouldn't say drunk, more likely "squiffy" in my view.
"get my fix".............More like "I really fancy a burger"
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
kldc87@reddit
There's a comedian called Michael Mcintyre - search posh words for being drunk.
Healthy-Tap7717@reddit
A man in his 30s middle-class? He would just said 'pissed' as an equivalent to being drunk
Backinamo@reddit
Maybe sozzled for drunk instead of squiffy. Thinking about it.
Sozzled being full drunk, squiffy, heading that way.
ZestyMonstera@reddit
Ok Enid Blighton
artrald-7083@reddit
You mention using 'you okay' instead of 'you alright' - sure, but just 'Alright?' is also very usable. Basically anywhere you'd see 'you alright?', plus anywhere a Frenchman would use 'ça va?'
superspur007@reddit
Mancunian would probably be "easy lad" Calm down more scouse. Parental influence linguistically would be prevalent however slang / insults would be most likely from his peer group and where his education took place. My brother was stationed in Germany in the 70s still calls people who act stupid "Dunkopf",we are from the new forest so dickead would be more expected.
LopsidedLobster2@reddit
Easy there and Oh man sound more American
Lutine64@reddit
Avoid mentioning small rounds of bread unless you have nailed exactly where your character grew up. There are many regional ways to say it in Britain and are instant clues to those who grew up here who know instantly who they are talking to. Ditto the alleyway behind or between houses. Also check the usage of expressions over time. Phrases come and go but reflect a certain time the speaker formed his references.
Bubbly-Bug-7439@reddit
Where did your character go to school / would expect their slang to lean that way. Currently feels ever so slight more American than British… maybe watch lots of videos of Mark Ronson as he matches your profile quite well - grew up between uk and New York.. similar age
Realistic-River-1941@reddit
He wouldn't have a mom, unless he was from the Birmingham area (our Birmingham, not the incest one).
EiectroBot@reddit
Not used are “care crash Telly” and “get my fix”. Possibly American phrases.
ProfessionalMottsman@reddit
That’s rich should be “That’s rich coming from you!”
countrysidedreamer@reddit
Watch some made in chelsea full of these phrases
Crivens999@reddit
Mum
RaspberryCapybara@reddit
My favourite English phrase is “Fine words doth butter no parsnips “, always a blank stare when ever I use it, ( Thanks Joe Lycett)
ComfortableEarth5787@reddit
These are all American.
nonsequitur__@reddit
The rest sound fine to me.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
That’s rich is said sarcastically, yes! I asked about you okay, because I’ve heard you alright as a greeting but was curious how people checked in. Like if a friend was quiet, would they say “you okay?” or is alright more of a common word?
For hang out, if you wanted to say “let’s hang out next week.” Is there a phrase that captures that ask? Get together maybe?
Keeping it light was a mixed bag so I won’t use it, just to be safe
nonsequitur__@reddit
Ah I see! Yeah you could say are you alright, are you okay, is everything okay, how are you doing etc. Either work just fine :)
Yes get together works well. Depending on the relationship and circumstances, maybe also: catch up, grab a drink, do something (as in are you free on Sunday, do you fancy doing something), fancy some company?
Not at all, happy to help. What you have already looks great.
Yeah better safe than sorry :-)
Cannapatient86@reddit
Where would the 30 year old character have grown up in the uk that would have an impact on there language used to a certain extent. I grew up in Surrey when i was at school then moved to west London after and my language has changed a little bit
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
The character actually grew up in Surrey!
Averyingyoursympathy@reddit
Surrey is largely posh but there are some of us who are normal. Saying the character is from Surrey is generally a signifiyer they're well off, similar to saying their from the Upper East of Manhatten.
RhinoRhys@reddit
I am a 33 year old man
But anything can be sarcastic.
CymroBachUSA@reddit
Other phrases you might use (and you can figure them out!):
Is the Pope catholic?
I think you've mistaken me for someone who give a f*ck
Bell-end
Manc lad
One does, does one?
etc
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
I’ve heard a few of these but will be checking out the others. Thanks!
Jazzlike-Basil1355@reddit
Drunk - we say pissed. Different to the IS sense.
Str8WhiteMinority@reddit
All of these are in current use in the UK except “oh, man”.
That strikes me as an Americanism and I don’t think I’ve ever heard it used here unironically.
Hmph, bloody colonials desecrating the language, tut, etc.
nonsequitur__@reddit
In use in the north west
secretlondon@reddit
That’s in use in south London for sure
Str8WhiteMinority@reddit
What can I say, I’m a northerner. I don’t go south of the line between the Severn and the wash
Stuffedwithdates@reddit
middle class will say TV not telly
Squeak_Stormborn@reddit
Never heard of car crash telly. Telly is common. Reality shows are usually just referred to as 'Reality shit' in my circles.
Miracle worker isn't inheritantly sarcastic. I've only ever used it to genuinely compliment someone's work.
I messed up / I fucked up means 'I did something wrong', not that you're an underdog.
You haven't explained some of the uses but in the right context, the rest are all fine and widely used.
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
The sentence was “I’m not a miracle worker,” but I think that phrase might be very American
nonsequitur__@reddit
That works but isn’t sarcastic if that’s what you’re going for.
Squeak_Stormborn@reddit
That could work. We'd say that too, if being defensive.
kliq-klaq-@reddit
He'd say trashy telly rather than car crash telly.
romoladesloups@reddit
Some of them wouldn't be commonly heard, in my experience.
Car crash telly - fine Miracle worker - ok I guess That's rich - not current Last time I checked - ok Lot of ___ energy - ok. Rough around the edges -ok but usually just "rough" would do it Drunk - ok but we'd usually say pissed, bladdered, ratarsed, arseholed etc Plus - ok Dad - definitely, although the posh one might say pa and the other might say me old man, the old fella Literally - current but annoying I can pull that off - not current. "I can get away with that" would be better Lucky me - ok Easy there -not really, we're more likely to say "steady" or "whoah" . Older people might say "easy, Tiger" but it's not common At each others throats -ok. "Ripping into each other" or "having a barny" or "getting a bit aggy" would be more likely though Shit - definitely I couldn't pick you out of a line up- a bit clumsy. "I wouldn't know you if you came up and bit me" is more natural I fucked up is better than messed up. Cocked up or dropped a bollock are better Just a heads up - sounds too much like 80s business speak. In casual conversation, we'd likely say "while we're on .."
Please - ok, depending on context Peace offering -ok Get my fix - not really, except with an addition. You might say "my car crash TV fix" or something but not just the phrase as it is One hit wonder - only used usually in the original sense of a band or singer, not used in a wider sense You ok? - definitely Keeping it light - ok Hang out- ok (just "hang" is ok too) Joke that actually lands -ok
Hope this helps
Capable_Loss_6084@reddit
I buggered it up / fucked it up is even more widely used than ‘screwed up’ I think.
Capable_Loss_6084@reddit
Cocked it up is milder - about equivalent to ‘screwed up’.
girl_aboutlondontown@reddit
Language is a bit more nuanced than this. It’s heavily dependent on socio-economic background, age and specific location as well. It’s more about developing your character and their world (or world of language in this case) rather than trying to force in words and idioms that can become redundant
Sophie_Blitz_123@reddit
Most of these sound fine to me, the only one that stands out is "car crash telly", I don't think I've ever heard that. Doesn't mean no one says it though 🤷♀️
We don't say "oh man" very much but I feel like it's fair for a character to have a lot of Americanisms if they interact with Americans a lot - we do anyway tbh.
I'm 27 if that helps albeit considerably more working class than your character.
Professional-Day6965@reddit
I actually think this is quite good. I feared the worst when I started but I reckon these are bang on Good stuff
inkywheels@reddit
I've always heard the phrase as "I couldn't pick you out of a line-up of one", for even more emphasis
therapissed-25@reddit (OP)
Oh that’s amazing lol! I’ve never heard it, but it’s better than the one I’m used to.
Professional-Day6965@reddit
I've never heard it either. Personally I think you had it right to begin with
qualityvote2@reddit
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