A rugby fans’ guide to English
Howzit bru, want to come to a braai? Learn words from all around the world to improve your World Cup experience!
With a lekker mix of rugby fans coming together in the UK from 20 countries for the Rugby World Cup, there’s a good chance you’ll get a bit confused if you don’t know your braai from your barbie or a bevvie from a brewski.
British Airways‘ cabin crew, who speak many languages from Arabic to Zulu, put together a a glossary of words and phrases which you’ll probably hear across England between now and 31 October.
So expand your vocabulary and avoid a kerfuffle with an eejit.
Have a look at these must-know words:
Arvo: Australian for afternoon. “We’re having a barbie this arvo.”
Quid: What the Brits call a pound.
Rark up: Kiwi expression for giving someone a good telling off. “He got a good rark up from the ref.”
Scrag: Australian term for holding someone by the neck or garment. “He got scragged just before the tryline.”
Braai: South African term for a barbeque.
Craic: Irish term for fun or gossip. “Great craic at the barbeque.”
Vuvuzela: A large, colourful plastic trumpet carried by some South African fans. Apparently the world comes from isiZulu for making a noise.
Whinge: Originally an English term for whining, sometimes used by Australians to describe the English. “Stop whinging and accept the better team won.”
XXXX: Pronounced 4 X, it is a brand of beer made in Queensland, Australia.
Droewors: South African dried sausage – a favourite snack of rugby fans.
Eejit: Irish term for a complete fool. “That streaker was a right eejit.”
Foos yer doos: Scottish enquiry as to how you are.
Gutted: English expression of bitter disappointment. “I was absolutely gutted we lost.”
Howzit: South African greeting that means “How are you?”, “How are things?”, or just “Hallo”.
Isnae: Scottish for ‘is not’. “That yellow card isnae fair.”
Jislaaik: South African expression of outrage or surprise. “Jislaaik, does it rain here every day?”
Kerfuffle: Canadian term for an awkward or stressful situation or commotion. “That was a bit of a kerfuffle on the tryline.”
Lekker: South African expression for something good, great, cool or tasty. “That was a really lekker braai (barbecue).”
Milk bar: Australian term for a corner shop that sells takeaway food. “Let’s get lunch at a milk bar before the match.”
Naff: English word for something that is uncool. “You look really naff in that anorak.”
Owt: Yorkshire term for anything. “You get owt for nowt.” You don’t get anything for nothing.
Puss: Irish for a sulky face. “He had a real puss on him after that tackle.”
Toque: Canadian word for a woollen hat or beanie.
Ugg boots: Warm Australian sheepskin boots. “It’ll be cold tomorrow, best wear your Uggs.”
Yabber: An Australian term for talking a lot. “I wish the ref would stop yabbering and get on with the game.”
Zonked: English expression for totally exhausted. “The team must be totally zonked after that effort.”
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