29 Welsh Slang Terms Too Tidy Not to Know

Explore some frequently used Welsh slang words from the beginning portion of the alphabet. Work these tidy terms into your vocabulary the next time you're in Wales.

• alright - In Wales, people say alright as a greeting. It means the same as "hi" or "hello." Sometimes it's abbreviated to alrighi' or alri. (Alright, how are you today?)
• bamps - The word bamps is an affectionate term used to mean grandfather. (I'm going to visit my bamps this weekend.)
• banging - As slang, the word banging means that something is really great, outstanding or awesome. (You got a new job? That's banging.)
• beaut - The slang term beaut is an affectionate term for a female friend. Even though it looks like a shortened form of beautiful, it doesn't refer to looks. (Hi there, beaut, how have you been doing?)
• butt - This slang word is a term of endearment for a male friend. Think of it more like an alternate form of bro or mate rather than referring to a body part. Sometimes a "y" is added to form butty. (Hey butt, what's going on with you?)
• buzzing - This slang word is used to indicate that something stinks really badly or is otherwise unpleasant or spoiled. (The leftover takeaway from last week is simply buzzing.)
• chopsy - This term describes someone who is mouthy, impudent or cheeky in demeanor. (The new employee seems a bit more chopsy than the rest of the team.)
• chopsing - Someone who is behaving argumentatively would be described as chopsing. (My brother is too busy chopsing to actually listen to what our mam is trying to say.)
• cracking - This British slang term is also commonly used in Wales. It is a descriptive term indicating that something is excellent. (This pudding is cracking good! Can I have the recipe?)
• cwtch - Pronounced the way you'd say "butch" if it started with a hard "c," this Welsh slang word means a loving hug that's both affectionate and comforting, like a cuddle. (Nothing makes me feel better than a cwtch from my mam.)
• daps - The term daps is generic slang to refer to sneakers or any athletic shoes. (I need to change into my daps before we stroll through the park.)
• dwt - The word dwt is the Welsh equivalent of the Scottish term "wee." It can be used to describe anything small and cute but is usually used for children. (What a precious dwt lad.)
• Drive - This term is used to refer to bus drivers in Wales. It's also used for taxi drivers. In essence, "Drive" is each bus or taxi driver's nickname in the course of their job. (Thanks for the lift, Drive.)
• gwenny - This slang term is a descriptive term for old-fashioned or out-of-style. (I love this old gwenny sweater.)

Keep going further in the alphabet and you'll discover even more banging slang terms that'll help you fit in when your adventures take you to Wales.

• half and half - In Wales, if you order a meal that comes with a choice of one of two sides, you can get a half portion of each side by requesting half and half. (I'd like a curry takeaway with half and half.)
  
• hanging - In Wales, slang usage of hanging refers to having gotten extremely drunk. (I was tipsy while you were at the party, but I kept drinking and was hanging by the end of the night.)
• hwyl - This slang term is used to convey a sense of fun, frivolity and energetic celebration. (The footie crowd was filled with hwyl after the victory!)
• kecks - In parts of Wales, the slang term kecks is used to refer to men's trousers. (I've spilled curry on my kecks.)
• Iechyd da - If you're called on to make a toast in a bar or at a party in Wales, just utter this phrase (pronounced yeah-ch-id dah). It actually means "good health" but is used as "cheers." (Lechyd da, my friends!)
• ling di long - This phrase refers to wandering aimlessly, without any particular sense of purpose or direction. (I'm just enjoying a ling di long stroll in this lovely weather.)
• lush - The word lush is used to convey that an item is truly lovely. (What a lush dress you are wearing. Your new handbag is lush as well.)
• mitcher - This refers to one who misses work or school claiming to be sick when they are actually perfectly fine. (She's absent again? Don't worry too much; she's a bit of a mitcher.)
• mun - The term mun is slang used to add emphasis to a statement that doesn't actually mean anything, though it is literally a synonym for man. (Well, mun, I meant to invite you to join in.)
• poppy ping - This is a funny Welsh term sometimes used as slang for a microwave oven. (Heat the takeaway in the poppy ping and we'll have a snack.)
• sorted - In Wales, this word is used to indicate that something has been handled or taken care of. (I'll go to the shops and get dinner sorted.)
• tamping - This term is used to express that one is feeling extremely angry. (The mugger attempted to steal my handbag, leaving me tamping and screaming as he ran off.)
• there's lovely - In Wales, this slang expression means the same thing as the expression "that's nice." (You're wearing a new dress! There's lovely.)
• tidy - This Welsh slang term is used to indicate that the speaker perceives something as great, very good or awesome. It's used the same way as banging is used. (You did a tidy job on this project.)
• twp - Do you know anyone who's more than a bit dull? In Wales, the slang term for such a person is twp. (My cousin is such a twp.)

Now that you know some Welsh slang, take the time to get familiar with some other common U.K. expressions. From there, take a deeper dive into more than 100 brilliant British slang terms and definitions of each term. Then, you might want to explore some Scottish slang.