Pricey Bangers and Mash, Lads Speaking English and Surviving in London

Pricey Bangers and Mash, Lads Speaking English and Surviving in London So, you’ve been learning English a while but when you went to London you could hardly understand a word or you have an English friend who seems to be speaking a different language. Does this sound familiar? Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw famously said that “England and America are two countries separated by a common language.”English spoken in London contains many informal words and slang expressions that need to be explained to students. Here is a brief guide on what you need to know to communicate. The list is endless but if you can understand the following examples you are making a good start:1. Food   In London you will here many words to refer to something as simple as food. Among these are grub and nosh.   A quality meal generally eaten in a restaurant is called A slap up meal.   A sausage and mashed potato dish is called Bangers and mash.   Whole potatoes are called spuds. French fries are called chips. Potato chips are called French fries. A thinly sliced meat san dwich is called a bacon sarnie. Dessert is called, afters. The fruit conserve called jelly in the US in London is called jam. Sugary gelatine is called jelly.2. ClothesClothes also have a vocabulary of their own in London: A sweater is called a jumper. Trousers are called pants. Athletic or running shoes are called trainers. Lingerie for women are knickers. A small purse worn around the waste to carry money is called a bum bag.   A plastic pin to hang clothes to dry is called a clothes peg.3. Social Situations Working class Londoners from the east side of the city can sometimes be referred to as cockneys. How are you? is often said as Alright?Thank you can be said as ta. Friend can be referred to as mate or pal. A man can be called a bloke or lad. You might here someone’s surprise expressed as blimey! An argument is called a row. If someone is a good person he/she might be called sound. If something is really great, it might be called wicked or massive. If a girl is attractive she is called fit.If a person is unattractive (either male or female) they are called minging. When a person is telling their friends they are leaving, they say, right lads, I’m off. Bye can be said as cheerio or cheers.   Bathroom is loo.4. Money Money can be called dosh or doe. A British Pound can be called a quid. If something is expensive, people say it’s a bit pricey.5. Some phrases If you are very tired, I’m knackered. When someone is very surprised, You could have knocked me down with a feather (meaning, I was so shocked, even a small bird’s feather could have made me fall to the ground). If someone orders more food than they can eat they say, their eyes are bigger than their belly (or stomach). Sleep well can be said as sleep tight. Do you want a cup of tea? can be asked as, do you want a brew?Let’s enjoy some London English at its finest with this video of cockney boys, The Clash, with their classic, London Calling: Sign up for: Online English Classes | Aulas de Ingl ês | Cursos de Inglés