Whilst everyone knows the people of Liverpool have their own language, it can take a while for outsiders to understand what they’re actually talking about. Don’t get a cob on though, we’ve gotten Scouse birds Emma and Robyn in the office to put together this Scouse Dictionary so you’ll always know what’s being said to you. Here you’ll find some well known phrases and some you’ve probably never heard before. We’ll have you speaking like a local in no time!

Scouse Dictionary

Lad, la, lid, fella, our kid, mate

Generic term to refer to any male
“Alright Lad, want to watch the match with me and our kid?”

Bird, queen, prin, me ma’

Generic terms to refer to women
“I’m taking me bird out later for a few bevvies.”

Boss, Sound, Belter, well in

Used as a way to express happiness
E.g. “I’ll get the next round in mate”, “Ahh that’s sound that, thanks lad.”

Devoed, gutted.

Used to express unhappiness
E.g. “Failed me exam last week because I was too hungover from the night before. Absolutely devoed”.

Youse

Used when referring to more than one person at a time
E.g. “Can youse come with us to carry the bevvies back from the bar?”

Eeeeee

Used to express disgust towards something or someone
E.g. “Eeeee. Have you seen her eyebrows?”

Meff, weapon, muppet, divvy.

Insults
E.g. “Alright you big meff, where’ve you been?!”

Soft lad

Affectionate term used to call out/refer to any male who does something stupid but you still love them.
E.g. “Has anyone seen soft lad? He’s gone missing again.”

Gobshite

A term used for anyone who annoys you.
E.g. “You’re well rid of him queen, he was a gobshite.”

A show

When something doesn’t look right. Can refer to either a person’s or location’s appearance
E.g. “Did you see Katie last night? She looked a right show.”

Wool, Woolly back

Used to refer to anyone from outside of Liverpool, but especially from The Wirral.
E.g. “Eeeee. There’s loads of wools in here tonight.”

Swerve

When you want to avoid something or someone
E.g. “Nah swerve Heebies tonight. That guy I got with last week’s in there.”

The Asda

Asda supermarket – obviously!
E.g. “Going The Asda lads. Want anything?”

More Scouse Slang

Used to say thank you
E.g. “Ta for giving us your Netflix login.”

Skint

When you have no money left
E.g. “Nah sorry mate can’t go out tonight I’m proper skint.”

Chocka, chocka block, heavin’, rammed

When somewhere is really busy
E.g. “Mate been standing at this bar for ages, its chocka in here”

Trainees

Footwear, usually trainers
E.g. “Just got some boss new trainees in town, now I’m skint.”

Jarg, plazzy, blag

When something is fake/not genuine
E.g. “Got this jarg bag down the market on Sunday”

Got a cob on

When someone is wound up
E.g. “Watch out for Steve. He’s got a cob on after some guy spilt his drink.”

Made up

When something has gone your way/you’re really happy
E.g. “Got a first on that essay, I’m made up.”

Dinner

The meal you have in the middle of the day (lunch to the rest of the country)
E.g. “Where shall we go for dinner lads?”

Tea

The meal you have at the end of the day.
E.g. “Going round me ma’s for tea tonight”

Scran

Any sort of food
E.g. “I’m starvin’ mate, lets order some scran.”

Bevvie

An alcoholic beverage
E.g. “Go on then, I’ll have a bevvie with ya.”

Buttie

Any type of sandwich
E.g. “I’ve got a buttie for my dinner today.”

Lolly ice

A frozen summer treat you can get from the ice cream man.
E.g. “It’s roasting today, do you want a lolly ice?”

There you have it – our Scouse Dictionary that’ll have you talking like a local in no time!

Caro Short Stay

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Caro Student Living

Enjoyed our Scouse dictionary? And you’re a student in Liverpool? Why not check out our guide to the 10 best student nights in Liverpool here.

Or have a look at a Caro Student accommodation in Liverpool. We have luxurious and affordable rooms & studios available for the 2019/20 year. All of our rooms are en-suites in the Liverpool city centre, with prices starting from just £99-a-week!

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