Tuesday 29 November 2016

More British English Slang

Following a few recent conversations, and an amusing (if you're British) competition ad made by a bank in Singapore, here are three English words which have common, old slang meanings outside of their regular ones! 

1. Curtains
Regular meaning: fabric things which cover your windows (we don't use the term 'drapes' in the UK)
Slang meaning: the end, usually death or the act of dying. As in the end of the show, when the curtains come down. I think this is mostly old London slang. It's often a slightly joking term and it is not offensive in daily chat, but should not be used in any kind of serious situation!

Example: "It'll be curtains for the goldfish if it keeps on trying to jump out of the tank!"

2. Toss
Regular meaning: to throw something
Slang meaning: to masturbate. The term is applied to males and can have variations such as 'tosser' (a man who tosses - ie an idiotic or unpleasant person), 'tosspot' (a ridiculous or unpleasant person). Tosser is the same as 'wanker' (with the same meaning) and both are quite common in colloquial British English! (Both are insults)

Example: "Urgh, my new boss is being a total tosser!"  


3. Tart
Regular meanings: a small pie; an acidic or sour taste
Slang meaning: a slut or prostitute. Traditionally applied to women, today it can be used of either gender to imply they sleep around a lot (this is an insult!) This is very old slang, and quite well known worldwide, I think.

Examples: 
"Don't go out with Eric, he's a complete tart!"
"Shall I buy these shoes?" - "No, they look a bit tarty." 



The banking ad.




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