It’s not so much the accents of the residents of fictional Albert Square in London’s East End that take time to get attuned to, it’s their colorful vocabulary which is often entirely foreign to non-Brits. From the story line, situation, and the (very good) acting itself viewers do of course catch the gist. It’s no news to learn that ‘’Cor!’’, ‘’Blimey!’’ ‘’Crikey!’’, ‘’Bloody hell!’’, ‘’I’m gobsmacked!’’ and ‘’Oh, my giddy aunt!’’ express different types and degrees of surprise, for example. Or that besides ‘’Hiya’’ or ‘’Alright, mate?’’ some people say hello to each other by uttering an expressionless ‘’Awright’’. Thank you is ‘’Ta!’’, and ‘’I’ll put the kettle on!’’ means let’s have a cup of tea – a ‘’cuppa’’.
And while we may not understand the original meaning (sometimes very rude indeed) of some of the terms of derision the characters – frequently – throw at each other, we do understand that they are just that. Slapper, dozy mare, and daft cow are popular for women, while git, plonker, berk, pilchard, prat, wuss, toe rag, tosser, big girl’s blouse and wally are just some of the invectives hurled mostly at men. ‘’Is this the year of the wally brain or something?’’ (pronounced sumfink) bully-man Phil Mitchell might bark at somebody slow on the uptake before telling them to sling their hook, i.e. get outta there.
A Guide To Albert-Square-Speak
This is a world where a (young) woman is a bird – otherwise make that an old boiler, like your Nan (grandma). A man’s a bloke, and a man other guys look up to is a geezer or geeza. An unpopular guy, on the other hand, is a ‘’Billie no mates’’ and a nerd is an ‘’anorak.’’
In the local boozer (pub), a bloke - specially if he’s well fit - might chat up a bird who’s a bit of alright, nice lippie (lipstick) and all, pull (end up spending the evening with her), snog (kiss, neck), bit of rumpy-pumpy. On the other hand, he might sit there with his mates and get rat-arsed, open his big gob (mouth) and start slagging people off (saying negative things). ‘’Leave it out!,’’ says one of the lads. But he’s too bladdered and by now some of the other punters (customers) are getting gobby right back: ‘’Are you taking the mickey?’’ ‘’You’re ‘avin a laugh!’’ ‘’Don’t’ get sarky with me, you ponce!’’
The barman, maybe pub boss Phil himself, yells out ‘’Oy, you lot!’’ a few times before finally ordering our man to do one (leave). ‘’Keep your hair on!’’, he shouts back not moving, ‘’Don’t get your knickers in a twist!’’ Suddenly one of the other blokes goes spare, and there’s a row (fight). ‘’I’ll have your guts for garters!’’ yells the punter. ‘’I don’t give a monkey’s!’’ our man shouts back and then gets a proper pasting (beaten up).
Measured Use Of Innit In EastEnders
According to the BBC’s website, under ‘’Voices’’, the term ‘’innit’’, for ain’t it or isn’t it, is a tag question that for many in Britain has become a one-word-fits-all replacement for all tag questions like aren’t they, can’t we, doesn’t it, etc. Its use is ubiquitous in many British series; some characters append innit to the end of every phrase they utter. It is also used on EastEnders, albeit very sparingly.
‘’A right kerfuffle, innit!’’ our hero’s Mum, Nan, Auntie or Missus is saying the next morning. Not only is he sitting there still in his jimjams, totally knackered (tired), watching her bingo wings (under arm flesh) flap under her cardie (cardigan) as she bungs some bacon into the pan for a fry up, but he’s having to listen to her banging on about how he’s a right plank, must be ‘’barking’’, ‘’sixpence short of a shilling’’, ‘’two sandwiches short of a picnic’’ to go out with that dodgy lot. ‘’Nothing wrong with spending a bob or two with the lads after a day of hard graft (work)’’, he says, secretly gutted that he hadn’t used his noodle (brain), stopped after a pint or two and come home for some nice bangers (sausages) and mash and an evening in front of the tellie. ‘’You didn’t even give me a bell (call)!’’ she’s saying. All that dosh (money) buying rounds, for what, a kick up the backside, and now this, he thinks to himself, might as well have flushed it down the karzy (toilet).
‘’Which reminds me,’’ says our hero off to wash, jump into some kecks (trousers) and get off to work. ‘’Shall I make you a butty (sandwich),’’ asks his Missus (or Mum, Nan, Auntie). ‘’You’re all right, no sarnies, I’ll get some chips (fries) and Bob’s your uncle,’’ says our man, adding: ‘’I’ll have a butchers (look around) for those bits and bobs down the market, and get on the blower (phone) about the hoover (vacuum cleaner),’’ making it up to her like. ‘’Kushty ‘’, says she smiling. ‘’Spot on. You cheeky monkey.’’ Our hero smiles too, well chuffed (very pleased). ‘’Friends again, innit.’’
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