21 British Insults That the Rest of the World Simply Don’t Understand

Us Brits are known for being clever, witty and sarcastic whilst being incredibly well spoken. We’ve perfected the art of insults that sound as charming as a cosy fireplace on a winters night, but sometimes the insults can be challenging to understand. We essentially use an entirely different language for their insults which can vary from county to county.

So are you ready to dive into the art of British insults?

24+ British Insults That No One Else Gets

1. Nitwit.

The word nitwit is a British insult that indicates the person is silly, foolish, or particularly stupid. For example, “She is a nitwit.”

2. Off their rocker.

The term off their rocker is a British insult to say that someone has gone “mad” or “crazy.” For example, “They are off their rocker if that’s what they think!”

3. Gormless.

Gormless is another British insult that means stupid and slow-witted. For example, “Susan is a gormless nitwit, ain’t she?”

4. Bugger off.

The British use the term bugger off as a way of saying go away and/or get out of here. For example, “Can you just bugger off already? I’m busy!”

5. Daft.

The word daft refers to a person being silly or stupid. For example, “Are you daft, Lily? That’s a ridiculous idea.”

6. Trollop.

A misogynistic insult, trollop, is used to label a woman as promiscuous or with questionable morals. For example, “She’s a trollop, ain’t she mate? Been with a few of the boys down the road too.”

7. Sod.

Sod is an offensive British insult for a person you’re not fond of or annoyed with. For example, “I almost feel sorry for the poor sod, but it has to be done.”

8. Dodgy.

Dodgy is a British insult to describe someone who seems suspicious, untrustworthy, and/or dishonest. For example, “I wouldn’t recommend doing business with Evan; he’s a bit of a dodgy bloke.”

9. Wazzack.

Wazzack is a word that the British use to describe someone who is stupid or annoying. For example, “That bloke is a wazzack, alright.”

10. Prat.

Prat is a word to describe someone who is full of themselves. It can also be used to describe someone as stupid or foolish. For example, “Blimey, he’s such a prat, isn’t he?”

11. Blighter.

The British use the insult blighter to describe a person of low social class. For example, “You’re a complete blighter! You managed to trip over nothing again!”

12. Plonker.

Plonker is a word to describe someone who is useless or uneducated about that specific matter. For example, “You just leave the house repairs to me; we don’t need you hurting yourself, you plonker.” Made popular by the cult TV show, Only Fools and Horses.

13. Git.

The British use the word git to describe someone who is particularly stupid or just unpleasant to be around. For example, “ugh, he’s just a miserable old git.”

14. Numpty.

The insult numpty is used to describe someone as foolish or stupid. For example, “He looked like a right numpty standing there like that, didn’t he?”

15. Lost the plot.

Lost in the plot is an insult used to describe someone who is acting ridiculous or has gotten very angry, very quickly. For example, “When my mum saw the mess I’d made in my room, she lost the plot.”

16. Barmy.

Barmy is an insult labelling someone as somewhat crazy or foolish. For example, “George always said I was barmy, and it really bothered me.”

17. Nutter.

Nutter is another British insult meaning crazy or “bananas.” For example, “What is wrong with you? You’re acting like a right nutter!”

18. Scrubber.

Scrubber is an offensive British insult used to describe a woman who has been around the block with the boys a few too many times.

19. Ninny.

The word ninny is a British insult used to call someone incredibly foolish. For example, “You thought you could do well on the exam without studying? Blimey, you’re a real ninny, mate.”

20. Gannet.

The British use the word gannet as an insult to describe someone who is greedy. For example, “Slow down, Henry! You’re diving into the chips and eating them all like a real gannet!” Taken from the bird of the same name.

21. Mardy Bum

Mardy bum is a funny way to describe a real grumpy person. Popularised by The Arctic Monkeys popular song of the same name.

Additional British insults you may have never heard:

• Mutt is used when someone considers someone to be unintelligent.
• Buffoon: used to describe someone as clumsy or foolish.
• Wally is used to describe someone lacking intelligence.
• Berk: used to describe someone stupid or irritating.
• Pillock: used to describe someone stupid or foolish.
• Muppet: used to describe someone foolish or gullible.
• Trolley shopper: used to describe someone who is boring.
• Melt is used to describe someone who is weak or pathetic. 

Final Thoughts

These British insults are just another layer of British charm. Some of these British insults can be used lightheartedly or in a joking manner, while others are deemed to be more offensive. Make sure you know what you’re saying when you’re using these British insults!