15 Best Britishisms

Ben Yagoda, UDel Professor of Journalism and English, claims Britishisms in American English (like dodgy, posh, snog) are as common as Americanisms in British English. Here are a few examples from his blog; what do you think, are these expressions Americans commonly use?

• 1. Chat up

  

  Talk to someone in a friendly, informal way; schmooze. Most often used to suggest or imply flattery, as in "butter up," and especially an attempt to flirt with or seduce the chattee

• 2. Cheeky

  

  Insolent or audacious in address; coolly impudent or presuming

• 3. Daft

  

  Senseless, stupid, or foolish

• 4. Dodgy

  

  Evasive, tricky, artful; dubious, unreliable

• 5. Ginger

  

  Redhead

• 6. Gobsmacked

  

  Flabbergasted; speechless

• 7. Keen

  

  Eager; (with 'on') attracted to

• 8. Laddish

  

  A young man characterized by his enjoyment of social drinking, sport, and other activities considered to be male-oriented, his engagement in casual sexual relationships, and often by attitudes or behaviour regarded as irresponsible, sexist, or boorish

• 9. Mobile

  

  Cellular phone

• 10. Nutter

  

  Crazy person

• 11. Pants

  

  Underpants

• 12. Posh

  

  Smart, stylish, splendid, luxurious

• 13. Shite

  

  Excrement; shit

• 14. Snog

  

  Kiss

• 15. Wanker

  

  Asshole