English Slang Used in the United Kingdom Quiz

Answer: Another word for money

A naval slang word picked up from beggars in far east who would ask for small change (fakka).

Answer: The Judge

It is Cockney rhyming slang, for instance "I'm up against the Barnaby Rudge in court tomorrow"
Traditionally cockneys are people who were born within the earshot of the "Bow Bells", the bells of St Mary-le-Bow are in Cheapside London.
"Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of the 'Eighty" was written by Charles Dickens and published in serial form in 1841.

Answer: To take responsibility for a mistake

For example: "If I make a mistake in this quiz I will carry the can".
This may have come from the Royal Navy in the 19th Century. A crew member would collect the crew's ration of beer for the others in a can, and would then be responsible for any droppage.

Answer: Risky

Example: "Any form of gambling is a dicey business, especially if you're no good at it".
It probably comes from the RAF in World War II. They called war time flying "Dicing" as they were gambling with death. Dicey-do meant they'd had a close call with death.

Answer: Very simple

Usually a child's expression. This quiz is easy-peasy.

Answer: A legitimate arrest

"Cop" may have come from the Anglo-Saxon word "copian" meaning to steal or plunder. So in this sense it is meant as to be captured or seized legitimately for the crime that was committed.
This was often used in police television series and second rate detective novels.

Answer: Foreman or boss

It is a term of respect, probably a contraction of Godfather. Also it is the chief electrician in charge of electricity on a film or television set.

Answer: There is no choice, only one item/decision being offered

Thomas Hobson (1544-1630) was the owner of a livery stable in Cambridge England.
He would rotate his horses so that they all had a rest before being hired out. The hirer could take the horse most rested which would be the one nearest the stable door or none at all.

A modern example would be Henry Ford, who is reputed to have sold the Model-T Ford in "any colour as long as it was black".

Answer: Exclamation of surprise

A Northern expression, usually heard in Lancashire and Yorkshire. You would normally say "Well isn't that a surprise!".

Answer: Taking a tablet, a pill

Rhyming slang "Hill-pill".
Jimmy Hill was a well known English footballer, first playing for Brentford and then for Fulham. He retired as a player and eventually became Chairman of Coventry City Football Club. Alongside this he had a career in broadcasting and was well known as the presenter of the program "Match of the Day".

Answer: Supporter of Liverpool football club

The Kop is a terrace at Anfield Stadium home to Liverpool Football Club. It is short for "Spion Kop" a battle in the Second Boer War in 1900, where a lot of men from the Kings Regiment (Liverpool) died.

Answer: County of Lancashire.

Lancashire is in the North West of England and takes its name from Lancaster, its county town. It was established in 1182 and has as its symbol the Red Rose of Lancaster. In the 15th century there was the Battle of the Roses between the House of Lancaster( Red) and the House of York (White) for the throne of England.

Answer: Hot and bothered

A North East/Yorkshire term. "I feel real mafted", meaning I feel really hot and bothered. The origin of the word is no longer known.

Answer: No way, not on your life, never

This is when Cockney rhyming slang can become slightly difficult. "Not on your Nelly" is short for "Not on your Nelly Duff", which was put together just because "Duff" rhymes with Puff which itself means air, breath of life. So Nelly Duff is "not on your life"!

Answer: They were an eccentric or unusual person

Similar to the American "Odd Ball". Since about the 18th century "fish" has been used to denote a man, quite often a sailor. So if someone is an "odd-fish" they were an odd-man.

Answer: Ireland

A "Paddy" is an Irishman. It is slang from the pet form of the Irish name Padraig or Patrick. It is often used offensively.

Answer: One Pound Sterling

The plural is the same as the singular, so you would ask for "fifty quid" not "fifty quids". Its origin is unsure but it may be derived from the Royal Mint at Quidhampton in Wiltshire England, or from the term Quid Pro Quo - Quid "That which is".

Answer: Social Security Benefits

Social Security Benefits are commonly called "Dole" in the UK. "Rock 'n' Roll" is cockney rhyming slang. So you would hear someone say "Are you going to get your Rock n Roll?", meaning are they going to collect their Social Security Benefits.

Answer: Liverpudlian, person from Liverpool

Scouse is derived from the word "Lobscouse" a sailor's dish made from meat stewed with vegetables and ship's biscuits. In the 18th and 19th centuries Liverpool had a large number of immigrants; as their dialects intermingled they began to have an accent far different from those of the surrounding towns and countryside.

Answer: Thief

Cockney Rhyming Slang. Example would be " I've just heard our new neighbour is a tealeaf (thief)".

Answer: Unwell, sick

Rhyming slang. Example: "I wasn't able to go to the concert, I was Uncle Dick (sick)".

Answer: Gin

Another rhyming slang term.
Dame Vera Lynn, nicknamed "The Forces' Sweetheart" in World War II. She was born in London in 1917 and was well known for singing "The White Cliffs of Dover" and "We'll Meet Again".

Answer: Non-Liverpudlian, but who lives in a neighbouring town

The term originated in the 19th century on the docks. If only a few sheep were being ferried, the dockers wouldn't use the big gangway, they would carry the sheep ashore on their backs holding it by the forelegs. The sheep's fleece full of lanolin oil would stain and soak the men's clothes.

Answer: The Black Country

The Black Country is an area in the West Midlands of England. It has its own dialect, and is very similar to how early English was spoken. They say "Yow am" instead of "You are" which is where Yam Yam comes from.

Answer: Use it on the TV or Stereo unit

What would we do without them!