Greetings
You alright?
Said as a greeting, not a real question — reply 'Yeah, you?'
How are you? / Hello — the default casual British greeting.
Social
Cheers
Used constantly — to staff, colleagues, strangers
Thanks (also 'goodbye', or a toast). Does far more work than 'thank you'.
Sorry
Said reflexively, often when it is the other person's fault
All-purpose social lubricant — excuse me, pardon, my apologies, or just 'mind you'.
Knackered
'I'm absolutely knackered'
Exhausted, worn out.
Daily life
Queue
kyoo — 'join the queue', 'are you in the queue?'
A line. Britons take queuing seriously; jumping it is a genuine offence.
The Tube
The Underground / 'the Tube' — never 'the metro' or 'subway'
The London Underground rail network — how most people get around.
Oyster
'Tap in with your Oyster' (or just tap a contactless card)
The rechargeable travel card for buses, Tube and trains; contactless bank cards work the same way.
Mind the gap
Announced and printed at Tube platform edges
Watch the space between the train and the platform — a London catchphrase.
Quid
'Ten quid' = ten pounds; stays singular ('twenty quid')
Slang for a pound sterling (GBP).
Food
Takeaway
'Fancy a takeaway?' — not 'takeout' or 'to go'
Food ordered to eat at home; also the act of getting it.
Work
Bank holiday
'It's a bank holiday Monday'
A public holiday when most banks, offices and many shops close — often a long weekend.
Emergency
999
Dial 999 (or 112) for police, fire or ambulance
The emergency services number — for genuine, immediate emergencies only.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.