They say English is a universal language—until you move to the UK and realise you’ve only learned the subtitles, not the script.

You land in Heathrow, thinking you’re fluent in English. After all, you passed your IELTS, aced your interviews, and wrote essays in nursing school. But then someone casually says, “You alright, love? Fancy a cheeky cuppa before we pop to the chippy?”—and suddenly, your confidence crumbles like a soggy biscuit.

That was me during my first few months in the UK. Not lost in translation, exactly—but caught in the charming, confusing, often hilarious maze of British slang.

At first, these little differences made me feel like I was on the outside looking in. But over time, I realised something deeper: language is not just about words. It’s about belonging.

This post is a collection of the British phrases that puzzled me, amused me, and eventually helped me feel more at home. And maybe, just maybe, it will help someone like you too—whether you’re new to the UK or just learning how beautifully strange English can be when spoken with a British twist.

Bathroom Confusion

1. Loo = Toilet

This was my first real “language shock.” During orientation, someone said, “You can nip to the loo if needed.” I smiled politely, but internally screamed: “Where is the loo?! What is the loo?!”

Safe to say, I eventually got it. If you need to pee in the UK, don’t ask for the restroom (unless you want confused stares). Just say:

“Excuse me, where’s the loo?”

Also accepted: toilet, bog (very informal), or the ladies/gents in public places.

2. Bog roll = Toilet paper

Yes, seriously. It sounds uncivilized, but it’s just a British way of saying toilet tissue. I heard a colleague yell “We’re out of bog roll!” in the staff toilet once and thought she meant the toilet bowl was broken. I wish.

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Food Terms That Made Me Question My Vocabulary

3. Chips vs. Crisps

• British chips = Filipino fries
• British crisps = Filipino junk food/snack chips

A simple mix-up led me to ordering “crisps” with a burger. Let’s just say… the waiter was confused, and so was I.

4. Jacket potato

This is a baked potato. Just that. But the first time I saw it on a menu, I thought it was a fancy dish served inside a jacket. I almost ordered it just to see what it looked like.

5. Pudding = Dessert

Not the sweet, creamy stuff. “Pudding” can mean any dessert. Cake, brownies, crumble—it’s all pudding. Unless it’s actual black pudding, which (warning!) is a savoury, blood-based sausage served at breakfast.

6. Bangers and mash

The name sounds like a band or a wrestling move. It’s actually sausages and mashed potatoes. Very common pub food. Surprisingly comforting on a rainy day.

7. Takeaway

In the UK, you “get a takeaway,” not “order takeout.” The difference is small, but saying the right word makes you feel less like a tourist and more like a local.

8. Mince = Ground meat

Ordering mince for spaghetti bolognese was a moment of pride for me. I had finally learned that “mince” is what Brits say instead of “ground beef.” You’ll find it in everything from cottage pies to lasagne.

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Everyday Britishisms I Didn’t Expect

9. Pop to the shops / pop over

The verb “pop” means to go briefly or casually somewhere:

• “I’m just popping out.”
• “Shall I pop in later?”
• “I’ll pop to Tesco for milk.”

At first, I thought people meant something would literally pop, like popcorn. It took me a while to realise it just means “go quickly.”

10. Bin = Trash can

They don’t say “throw it in the trash.” They say:

“Put it in the bin.”
Or worse:
“Chuck it in the wheelie bin.” (That’s the big one outside.)

11. Trolley = Shopping cart

One of the funniest moments I had was asking where I could get a “grocery cart.” The Tesco staff said, “Do you mean a trolley, love?” Cue internal cringe.

12. Boot and Bonnet = Trunk and Hood of the car

Don’t get me started on this. If someone says, “Put it in the boot,” they’re not asking you to wear boots—they mean the car trunk. And “bonnet” means the car hood. No explanation. Just vibes.

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What They Say vs. What They Mean

13. You alright?

This is not a concern. It’s a greeting.
It took me months to stop replying with, “Yeah, why do I look sick?” It’s just another way of saying “Hi” or “How are you?”

14. Fancy a cuppa?

Translation: Do you want tea?
Don’t overthink it. Always say yes. Saying no to tea in the UK is borderline criminal.

15. Bit of a faff = Inconvenience or hassle

Example: “Booking that train was a bit of a faff.” I love this word now—it sounds exactly like what it means.

16. Sorted = Resolved/organised

“Don’t worry, it’s sorted.”
This word brings instant relief. British people love using it when something is done, handled, or under control.

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Things That Made Me Laugh (Eventually)

17. Gobsmacked = Shocked

“Gob” is a slang word for mouth. So to be gobsmacked means to be so shocked you’re literally smacked in the mouth—by surprise.

18. Knackered = Very tired

I once said this in front of my mom on a video call and she thought I was swearing. “I’m knackered” just means “I’m exhausted.”

19. Taking the mick / mickey

This means joking or making fun of someone (in a friendly way).
“He’s just taking the mick, don’t take it seriously.”

20. Brilliant = Great / Amazing

Everything is brilliant in Britain. From sandwiches to Netflix shows to your report at work.

Why Learning These Words Mattered

There’s something deeply human about wanting to understand and be understood. Learning slang might seem trivial, but to me, it was about connection.

I started to notice the shift when I no longer asked people to repeat what they meant. I could laugh at dry British humour, nod when someone said, “She’s lovely, isn’t she?” and feel included in conversations at lunch or at the nurse’s station.

It made me feel less foreign. Not fully British, no—but a little more anchored in this new home I chose.

It’s Not Just About Slang. It’s About Who You’re Becoming.

At some point, I stopped seeing these phrases as obstacles and started seeing them as invitations—subtle ways the UK was saying:
“Come in. You belong here too.”

Because the truth is, when you move to another country, you don’t just pack your bags. You slowly unpack who you are—and rebuild it with new colours, new sounds, and yes, new words.

Understanding British slang taught me more than how to order chips or find the loo. It taught me how to laugh at myself. How to listen closely. How to be open to being wrong—and brave enough to keep trying anyway.

And maybe that’s what life abroad is really about: not just fitting in, but growing into someone who understands the language of resilience, humour, humility, and quiet courage.

So if today, you’re still fumbling with British phrases—take heart.

Every “cheeky Nando’s,” every “dodgy signal,” every “pop to the shops” moment is part of your becoming. And someday soon, you’ll surprise yourself when the words roll off your tongue—not because you practiced, but because you’ve lived them.

You’re not just learning a language.
You’re building a life.

— Anj ❤