British Words I Didn't Know Existed, and Now I Can't Live Without

Let’s face it, there’s a lot about the Brits that has taken me a while to understand. As a North American, they have left me, at times, scratching my noggin in honest befuddlement.

For instance, why do they love James Corden for Gavin and Stacey but pretty much can't stand him for anything else? Or, their national obsession for room temperature water, football (soccer), organ meats and baked beans. Or, how they’ve claimed curry as traditional British cuisine. Or, or… how their gentle overt politeness, decorum and centuries-old etiquette instantly vanishes as they go all American postal when someone jumps one of their orderly queues. And do not get me going on those horse hair wigs they are mandated to wear in court, even the vegans. But as I spend time hiding amongst them, I have adopted some of their language. No, I am not speaking in a British accent, I am not Madonna or Lindsey Lohan, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Some of the British words I didn't know existed (or barely) I now can't live without. They make up the healthy fabric of my daily conversation, and you know what???? They are bloody brilliant.

So without further ado, here's my list of British Words I Didn't Know Existed, and Now I Can't Live Without.

Let's start with one I just used, bloody.

• Bloody. It's one of those words I have most woven into the fabric of my conversation: a bloody good intensifier or gentle expletive that has greatly reduced my use of the other expletive that sounds a lot like flucking.

• Yob. One of my absolute faves. It almost sounds like what it is. An obnoxious, annoying, clueless guy. And is it a coincidence that it is boy spelt backwards? I think not.

• Damp Squib. A disappointing or anticlimactic event. Squib (I had to look it up) is a small firework. So, something that had great potential but failed to fire. Example: Newcastle United's last football match was a damp squib. Now, I sit back and let my Geordie relatives vehemently defend.

• Bits' n bobs. A random assortment of small remaining items or things.

• Lurgy. Sometimes known as the dreaded lurgy. It’s the British equivalent to cooties, but it sounds a hell of a lot more contagious.

• Snog. No one says kiss in this country…or making out.

• Skint. Broke, without cash.

• Chuffed. Meaning very pleased, usually with yourself.

• Melt. A wimp or coward, someone with no backbone and will pretty much cave into anything.

• Cracking. Something sensational or excellent.

• Naff. Lacking style or substance.

• Poppycock. Leave it to the Brits to find a polite way to say bullshit.

• Knackered. So much more potent than its North American cousin, tired.

• Lad. Of course, I know the word lad, a young male. However, in British culture, it’s more than that. A lad is someone who engages in typical testosterone-driven behaviour. The lads will be drinking too many pints in the pub watching the football. This has made way for my new favourite term, "lad humour." Generally, anything guys find funny that girls find offensive.

So that is my list of British words I now can’t live without…for now.

As it continues to grow, I will update it from time to time.

So to paraphrase the lads, I am bloody chuffed to be writing this and hope it's not rubbish—Ta for reading. Cheers.