Some people (not necessarily Americans) have admitted having trouble with the British words in Harry Potter. To solve this problem, I give you...An Americans Guide to British words!
1) Prat
Someone who is described as being dumb or self centered. Usually acts against logic.
e.x. Jeez, Roldolfo is such a prat!
2) Git
Basically, a jerk. Shallow and/or childish.
e.x. Look at that git, strutting around like he owns the place!
3) Err...
The British equivalent of umm...
e.x. "Errr.... is it 42?"
4) Barmy
Insane/Crazy.
e.x. That old mans gone barmy!
5.) Blast
Equivalent to "Dang!"
e.x. Blast! Some git's taken my toothbrush!
6) Blimey
An exclamation of suprise, equivalent to "Wow!"
e.x. Blimey, look at the time! Got to run!
7) Bloody
A British swear or exclamation of suprise. Actually quite useful at times.
e.x. That was bloody brilliant, Jerry! Do it again!
8) Bogey
Basically: nose drippings, or snot/booger.
e.x. Eww, Tina, you've got bogey all over your nose!
9) Codswallop
Funny term, isn't it? It means a weak excuse.
e.x. You got got held up by three unicorns and a leprechaun? Codswallop.
10) Crikey
yet another exclamation of suprise.
e.x. Crikey, Helen! What happened to you're face?
11) Dodgy
Something that is not to be trusted.
e.x. Your excuse is a bit dodgy, Sarah. 5 points from Ravenclaw.
12) Galivanting
Fooling around, horsseplay.
e.x. I will not tolerate you galivanting around the grounds, young man!
13) Gobsmacked
Surprised, amazed
e.x. I was gobsmacked when I saw those unicorns!
14) Kip
A short sleep, a cat nap.
e.x. I'll just take a quick kip and be out the door!
15) Jolly Good
Very good.
e.x. Jolly good work there Robert!
16) Nick
To steal.
e.x. I nicked some rabbits meat from the pantry.
17) Tuck in
1) Eat up, or
2) Go to sleep
e.x. Tuck in, I made this especially for you!
18) In a pinch
In a bit.
e.x. I'll be outside in a pinch, I've got to throw this out.
19) Put a sock in it
Shut up.
e.x. Put a sock in it, Lou! I've got to concentrate!
20) Row
Rhymes with cow. This means an argument.
e.x. Dina and James are having a row again, so I'll be in and out in a pinch!
21) Sack/Sacked
Fired, lost their job.
e.x. I hope Ms. Gern gets sacked, I can't stand that prat!
22) Pompous
Proud, stuck up, full of it.
e.x. What a pompous man.
And there you have it! 23 words, definitions, and examples! If you have any questions or I missed a word you would like to know, simply comment and I will be happy to define or explain. Please excuse any grammatical or spelling errors, and if I got a definition wrong, please let me know!
1) Prat
Someone who is described as being dumb or self centered. Usually acts against logic.
e.x. Jeez, Roldolfo is such a prat!
2) Git
Basically, a jerk. Shallow and/or childish.
e.x. Look at that git, strutting around like he owns the place!
3) Err...
The British equivalent of umm...
e.x. "Errr.... is it 42?"
4) Barmy
Insane/Crazy.
e.x. That old mans gone barmy!
5.) Blast
Equivalent to "Dang!"
e.x. Blast! Some git's taken my toothbrush!
6) Blimey
An exclamation of suprise, equivalent to "Wow!"
e.x. Blimey, look at the time! Got to run!
7) Bloody
A British swear or exclamation of suprise. Actually quite useful at times.
e.x. That was bloody brilliant, Jerry! Do it again!
8) Bogey
Basically: nose drippings, or snot/booger.
e.x. Eww, Tina, you've got bogey all over your nose!
9) Codswallop
Funny term, isn't it? It means a weak excuse.
e.x. You got got held up by three unicorns and a leprechaun? Codswallop.
10) Crikey
yet another exclamation of suprise.
e.x. Crikey, Helen! What happened to you're face?
11) Dodgy
Something that is not to be trusted.
e.x. Your excuse is a bit dodgy, Sarah. 5 points from Ravenclaw.
12) Galivanting
Fooling around, horsseplay.
e.x. I will not tolerate you galivanting around the grounds, young man!
13) Gobsmacked
Surprised, amazed
e.x. I was gobsmacked when I saw those unicorns!
14) Kip
A short sleep, a cat nap.
e.x. I'll just take a quick kip and be out the door!
15) Jolly Good
Very good.
e.x. Jolly good work there Robert!
16) Nick
To steal.
e.x. I nicked some rabbits meat from the pantry.
17) Tuck in
1) Eat up, or
2) Go to sleep
e.x. Tuck in, I made this especially for you!
18) In a pinch
In a bit.
e.x. I'll be outside in a pinch, I've got to throw this out.
19) Put a sock in it
Shut up.
e.x. Put a sock in it, Lou! I've got to concentrate!
20) Row
Rhymes with cow. This means an argument.
e.x. Dina and James are having a row again, so I'll be in and out in a pinch!
21) Sack/Sacked
Fired, lost their job.
e.x. I hope Ms. Gern gets sacked, I can't stand that prat!
22) Pompous
Proud, stuck up, full of it.
e.x. What a pompous man.
And there you have it! 23 words, definitions, and examples! If you have any questions or I missed a word you would like to know, simply comment and I will be happy to define or explain. Please excuse any grammatical or spelling errors, and if I got a definition wrong, please let me know!
