Ever heard the phrase “Don’t get your knickers in a knot?” I’ve used it myself when a friend is worried over something trivial. What were knickers? In a word, they were old English underpants….. see the image and notice the split in the middle????

I’m not dwelling further in English underwear, but on British slang. Found a fun little book, Dictionary of British Slang, by Jonathan Bernstein, 2006:

    bunk off —  to play hooky

    do a runner —  leave a cafe without paying

    wobbly  —  refers to somebody untrustworthy

    the trouser department  —  referring to male genitals

    braces  —  suspenders

    glossies  —  magazines

    corker  —  an enthusiastic opinion

    panda car  —  small police car

    gammy  —  the injured part of the body

    twit  —  idiotic behavior

    paddy  —  catchall term for Irishmen

    poxy  —  most unpleasant

    number plate  —  car license plate

    dustman  —  garbage collector

    lollipopman  —  crossing guard

    brolly  —  umbrella

    that takes the biscuit  —  that beats anything I’ve ever heard

    tickety boo  —  everything’s going great

Please feel free to employ any of these in your daily dialogs.