Hello legends! 👋

In last week’s podcast, I tackled 50 questions using phrasal verbs — and this Friday, I’m back at it, but this time it’s all about British slang 🇬🇧. That’s right — we’re diving headfirst into the weird, wonderful world of “dodgy kebabs,” “cheeky pints,” and “cuppas.”

💬 Why is slang so important?

Slang isn’t just filler — it’s the heartbeat of real-life English. It's how people actually talk in the streets, pubs, and WhatsApp groups across the UK. Whether you’re chatting with a Londoner, a Scot, or someone from the West Country, you’ll hear slang popping up left, right and centre.

It also evolves fast. What your gran called "cool" might make your teenage cousin cringe. And regional slang? Don't get me started. In Liverpool, something “sound” means it’s good, but in other places, it might just mean it’s working...

So if your goal is to sound more C1-C2 and truly fluent — mastering slang helps you sound more natural, confident and in-the-know.

🎙️ This Week’s Questions: 50 British Slang Conversation Starters

Here’s a cheeky preview of what’s coming up in the podcast, with short answers to each question and a brief explanation of the slang in bold:

🛋️ Daily Life & Routines

1. What do you usually do after a long day — do you just veg out in front of the telly?
   Yep, I love to veg out with a brew and something mindless on the telly.
   (Veg out = completely relax and do nothing)

2. Are you more of an early bird or a night owl? Or do you just have a lie-in whenever possible?
   I love a cheeky lie-in when I can.
   (Lie-in = sleeping late in the morning)

3. What’s your go-to brekkie when you can’t be bothered to cook?
   Probably toast and tea – easy brekkie!
   (Brekkie = breakfast)

4. Do you ever pop down to the corner shop for snacks or bits and bobs?
   All the time! I grab crisps, chocolate, and other bits and bobs.
   (Bits and bobs = small random items)

5. Are you any good at DIY, or do you bodge it and hope for the best?
   I usually bodge it, then call someone to fix it properly!
   (Bodge it = do something badly or sloppily)

☕ Social Life & Chat

6. When was the last time you had a proper chinwag with a mate?
   Had one yesterday — we talked for hours.
   (Chinwag = long, friendly chat)

7. Do you enjoy a cuppa, or are you more of a coffee person?
   I can’t survive without a cuppa in the morning.
   (Cuppa = cup of tea)

8. Have you ever been to the pub for a cheeky pint on a school night?
   Guilty! A cheeky pint makes Thursdays more bearable.
   (Cheeky pint = spontaneous/naughty drink)

9. Who’s the funniest person you know — someone who’s always up for a laugh?
   My cousin. Always cracking jokes and up for a laugh.
   (Up for a laugh = ready to have fun)

10. Are you more of a party animal or someone who prefers a quiet night in?
    Used to be a party animal — now I love staying in with Netflix.
    (Party animal = someone who loves partying)

🏠 Home & Local Area

11. What’s your gaff like — do you live in a flat or a semi-detached?
    I live in a flat — my gaff’s small but cosy.
    (Gaff = home)

12. Do you get on with your neighbours or do they do your head in?
    They’re alright, though one of them does my head in sometimes.
    (Do your head in = really annoy you)

13. What’s the best chippy near you? What do you usually order?
    There’s a cracking chippy near me — I always get cod and mushy peas.
    (Chippy = fish and chip shop)

14. Have you got a nice local boozer you like to nip into now and then?
    Yep, there’s a cosy boozer round the corner.
    (Boozer = pub)

15. Is your town lively or a bit dead?
    It’s usually dead, but it picks up on weekends.
    (Dead = boring or quiet)

🚆 Travel & Getting Around

16. Do you usually take the tube, the bus, or do you leg it everywhere?
    Mostly leg it — unless it’s pouring down.
    (Leg it = walk (often briskly or quickly))

17. Have you ever missed the last train and had to fork out for a taxi?
    Yes! Forked out £40 for a taxi once.
    (Fork out = pay reluctantly)

18. What's your worst experience getting caught in the rain without a brolly?
    Got soaked on the way to work — forgot my brolly!
    (Brolly = umbrella)

19. Have you ever been proper lost and had to ask a stranger for directions?
    Happened in Liverpool — had no clue where I was.
    (Proper = really, completely)

20. Do you enjoy going on holiday abroad or do you prefer a staycation?
    Love a good staycation — less stress!
    (Staycation = holiday at home or in your own country)

🍴 Food & Drink

21. Have you ever had a full English? What do you leave on the plate?
    I always skip the black pudding — not for me!
    (Full English = traditional English breakfast)

22. Do you prefer a roast dinner or a takeaway curry on a Sunday?
    Roast all the way. Nothing beats Yorkshire puddings!
    (Roast dinner = traditional Sunday meal in the UK)

23. Have you ever burnt your mouth on a hot pasty or cuppa?
    Yes — classic mistake with a hot pasty!
    (Pasty = savoury pastry snack)

24. What’s your ultimate comfort food when you're feeling a bit peckish?
    A sausage roll always hits the spot.
    (Peckish = slightly hungry)

25. Ever had a dodgy kebab after a night out?
    Regret it every time… but yes.
    (Dodgy = suspicious or low quality)

😄 Personality & Feelings

26. What winds you up more than anything?
    Slow walkers wind me right up!
    (Winds you up = annoys you)

27. Are you usually chilled out or do you get a bit stroppy sometimes?
    Bit of both — I get stroppy when I’m tired.
    (Stroppy = moody or bad-tempered)

28. Have you ever made a complete fool of yourself and felt like a right muppet?
    Loads of times! Felt like such a muppet.
    (Muppet = silly or foolish person)

29. Who do you go to when you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps?
    Usually my mum — she always cheers me up.
    (Down in the dumps = sad or low)

30. Do you reckon you’re good at banter?
    Yeah, I love a bit of banter with mates.
    (Banter = playful, teasing conversation)

💼 Work & School

31. Ever had a boss who was a complete nightmare?
    Yes — total control freak. Absolute nightmare.
    (Nightmare = very difficult or stressful)

32. Have you ever pulled a sickie just to have a duvet day?
    Once or twice... I needed a proper rest!
    (Pull a sickie = pretend to be ill)

33. What’s the most boring job you’ve ever had — a real slog?
    Filing paperwork — proper slog.
    (Slog = hard, tedious work)

34. Have you ever had a workmate who was always skiving?
    Yeah — somehow never at their desk!
    (Skiving = avoiding work)

35. Do you think school uniforms are naff or a good idea?
    They’re a bit naff, but at least you don’t have to choose clothes.
    (Naff = uncool or tacky)

🏟 Leisure & Hobbies

36. Are you into footie? Which team do you support — or do you not give a toss?
    Love footie — I support Arsenal!
    (Footie = football / soccer, Give a toss = care)

37. Have you ever tried your hand at something totally random, like knitting or stand-up?
    Tried baking once — turned out shocking.
    (Tried your hand at = attempted)

38. What’s a show you binged and thought was absolutely brilliant?
    Line of Duty — absolutely brilliant!
    (Brilliant = fantastic / excellent)

39. Do you prefer a day out at the seaside or a stroll through the countryside?
    Seaside for the chippy, countryside for the peace.
    (Stroll = relaxed walk)

40. Ever been to a festival and ended up knee-deep in mud?
    Yes! Glastonbury 2019 — a proper mud bath.
    (Knee-deep = literally or figuratively stuck in something)

💬 Opinions & Culture

41. Do you think British weather gets a bad rap or is it actually rubbish?
    It’s actually rubbish — let’s be honest!
    (Rubbish = bad or disappointing)

42. What's your opinion on queueing — is it sacred or overrated?
    It’s sacred — don’t mess with the queue!
    (Queueing = lining up, Sacred = taken seriously)

43. What’s something totally British that you find charming or just plain weird?
    Saying sorry when someone else bumps into you — charming and weird.
    (Totally British = very typical of the UK)

44. Is it ever okay to jump the queue if you're in a rush?
    Never. You’ll get evil looks for days.
    (Jump the queue = cut in line)

45. Do you find British sarcasm hilarious or hard to get?
    Hilarious once you get it — deadly if you don’t.
    (Sarcasm = ironic or mocking humour)

🧙 Random & Fun

46. Have you ever had a go at speaking in a posh accent — did it sound pants?
    Sounded absolutely pants — more Dick Van Dyke than Downton Abbey.
    (Pants = bad or silly)

47. What’s a British slang word you love and one you think sounds silly?
    Love “gutted,” hate “sarnie” — it just sounds odd.
    (Sarnie = sandwich, Gutted = very disappointed)

48. Do you reckon the royal family is still relevant or just a bit of a circus?
    Bit of both — fascinating and totally bonkers.
    (Circus = chaotic or absurd situation)

49. What’s your reaction when someone says “fancy a cuppa?”
    Always yes — no explanation needed.
    (Fancy a cuppa? = want some tea?)

50. Have you ever been caught in an awkward situation and just wanted the ground to swallow you up?
    Yep, tried to push a door that said “pull.” Classic.
    (Ground to swallow you up = feel embarrassed)

🇬🇧 Why I Focus on British Slang in Class

One of the things students love most about my lessons is that I don’t just teach “textbook English” — we dive into real, everyday British English.

Here’s how I work slang into lessons:

• We explore regional accents and expressions — from Mancunian to Cockney.

• You’ll learn what sounds natural and what might raise an eyebrow.

• I highlight generational slang — so you don’t accidentally sound like someone’s nan 😅

• We practise slang in context through roleplays, storytelling, and conversation practice.

Whether you want to sound like a London local or just understand what someone means by “don’t get shirty,” I’ve got you covered.

📣 Want more British slang practice?
Join our weekly lessons or chitchat sessions, where we practise this kind of authentic English in a relaxed, supportive setting.

Ready to speak like a local?
Let’s get cracking. 💂‍♂️☕️

— Lewis