British English A to Z - past 12

383
U See Appendix I.C.6.
U.D.I. unilateral declaration of independence
UKIP, acronym see comment
Acronym for United Kingdom Independence Party, a political party formed in
1993. Its main mission is to get Britain to withdraw from the European Union.
ulcer, n. canker sore
Open sore on a surface of the body, external or internal. Also a corrupting influence.
Ulsterman a native of Ulster
unbelt, v.t., Slang. Slang. shell out
undercut, n. 1. tenderloin
2. uppercut
1. Butcher’s term. The British use fillet (pronounced fill’-it) for the same cut.
See Appendix II.H.
2. Boxing term.
underdone, adj. raw
Referring to meat, supposedly rare but really insufficiently cooked.
underground, n. subway
Also called the tube. A subway in Britain is an underground pedestrian passage.
underlay, n. carpet pad
under observation patrolled
under offer approx. for sale
For sale, but with a pending offer.
undertaker, n. funeral director
under the doctor under the doctor’s care
under the harrow, Inf. Inf. in distress
unfit, adj. unable to play
Because injured or ill. Used in sports reporting and announcements at the game.
unharbour, v.t. dislodge
A hunting term: to dislodge a deer from shelter.
u

h
unit trust mutual fund
A good way to save for retirement.
unmade road. See under metalled road.
unmetalled road. See under metalled road.
unofficial strike wildcat strike
unpaved road/track, n. dirt road
unseen, n. sight translation
In an examination or classroom recitation: He did well in his Latin unseens.
unsocial hours see comment
Term used in industrial disputes to describe working hours that interfere with
workers’ social lives, like evenings, weekends, and holidays. Not overtime,
which can occur in any job, but the regular hours in jobs like those of bus drivers,
railroad personnel, night watchman, etc.
unstable verge. See verge.
up, adv. to London
See also down; down train.
up, adj. out of bed
Up, in America, is ambiguous, in that it can mean ‘awake’ or ‘up and about.’ In
Britain it means the latter—‘out of bed.’
up a gum tree Slang. up the creek
Slang. In a pickle; in a fix. See also in a cleft stick; on a piece of string; bunkered;
under the harrow; snookered; up the spout.
up for the Cup in town for the big occasion
Slang. Originated in the North Country, where it is pronounced oop for t’coop (oo
short as in hoof, and the t’ almost inaudible), and refers to coming up to London to
support the team in the football (soccer) Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
upper circle second balcony
In a theater. See also stall; pit; gods.
upper ten Inf. upper crust

Inf. The upper classes; short for the upper ten thousand, an analogous phrase that
originated in America.
uppish, adj., Inf. Inf. uppity
Putting on airs.
upsides. See get upsides with.
up-stick, v.i. Inf. pack up and go
Inf. This can describe moving one’s entire ménage or simply clearing up after a
picnic. From former nautical slang meaning ‘set a mast.’ See also pull up sticks.
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unit trust
up stumps Inf. pull up stakes
Inf. To clear and leave. One of the many terms derived from cricket. Not to be
confused with stump up. Draw stumps means the same thing: clear out. Stumps
are the three uprights in the ground supporting two small cross-pieces (bails), the
whole structure constituting the wicket (See wicket, 1). To up or draw stumps is to
close the match, an operation that is extended figuratively to the winding up of a
situation or phase.
up the duff Slang. pregnant
up the junction Slang. up the creek
Slang. In a tough spot; in a fix. The creek in the original reference flowed with
human excrement, and those caught upstream were bereft of a paddle.
up the pole 1. Inf. dead drunk
2. Slang. in a fix
3. crazed
1. Slang. In this meaning, the very opposite of the American ‘on the wagon.’
2. Slang. In a predicament.
3. Slang. By anything, not merely drink.
up the spout Slang. in a fix
Slang. Used of any predicament, but, like in trouble in America, often understood

to mean ‘pregnant’ when the context permits of the possibility of that interpreta-
tion.
up the wall. See drive (someone) up the wall.
up to the knocker, Slang. Inf. in great shape
up train. See under down train.
U.S., adj. unserviceable
Slang. The term, always pronounced you ess, originated in the Civil Service, in
government laboratories. Where’s the Bunsen burner? Taken away; it’s gone You Ess.
If you haven’t guessed it, the U is the un-, and the S is for -serviceable. Also written
U/S. Now rare.
U.S.

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386
v. very
Common abbreviation in informal correspondence. See also Appendix I.D.9.
vac, n. vacation
(Pronounced vac k.) Also, a school vacation. See also come down, 2; holiday.
vacancies n. help wanted
Also, situations vacant. Signifying unoccupied positions.
vacant possession immediate occupancy
One sees in most real estate advertisements the expression vacant possession on
completion, meaning ‘immediate occupancy on closing title.’ This is sometimes
qualified by the addition of the phrase subject to service occupancy or less com-
monly, service occupations, meaning ‘subject to the occupancy of part (rarely all) of
the premises by persons living there are rendering services in payment of rent.’
The purchaser can get them out by legal means, but it is an arduous process. It
almost always applies to agricultural properties.
vacuum flask thermos bottle
See also dewar. A vessel with a double wall enclosing a vacuum.

vains I! See fains I!
value. See good value.
value, v.t. appraise
Whence valuer, the usual term for appraiser, who makes his livelihood by estimat-
ing the value of various objects or land.
Value Added Tax. See V.A.T.
value for money your money’s worth
British shoppers who have found a really good bargain will say they got value for
money as a way of expressing their approval. It may often be shortened, as in That
skirt was good value.
valve, n. tube
Radio term.
van, n. 1. closed truck
2. baggage car
1. Large or small. In America usually restricted to big ones. See also pantechnicon.
2. Railroad term.
van, removal. See pantechnicon; removals.
v
h
(the) V & A see comment
The Victoria & Albert Museum in London; almost invariably called V&A. Founded
in the mid-19th century, it is the national museum for the decorative and applied
arts.
variety, n. vaudeville
See also music-hall.
variety turn. See turn.
varnish, n. nail polish
V.A.T. sales or excise tax
(Sometimes pronounced vee-ay-tee, sometimes vat.) Sometimes VA T , abbrevia-
tion of Value Added Tax, which replaced the old purchase tax and the selective

employment tax, a sort of payroll tax in the service industries. V.A.T. resembles
the American Manufacturers’ Excise Tax, and derives its Value Added label from
the fact that at each successive stage of the production of an artifact, the person
or entity involved is obliged to add a certain percentage to his charge, which he
collects on behalf of Inland Revenue (the national tax authority) and pays over to
them at quarterly intervals. At the same time he can recover the V.A.T. amounts
that other people have charged him on his acquisitions which go into what he
is producing. Thus, a bicycle manufacturer passes on to the Inland Revenue the
tax he has collected, but recovers the tax he has paid on, e.g., metal, tires, etc.
V.A.T. applies not only to tangibles but to services as well. A writer passes on the
percentage he has added to his fee, but gets back the percentage he has paid on
writing-paper, telephone, and other things that he has had to pay for in order to
perform his professional duties.
V.C. see comment
Stands for Victoria Cross, the highest military distinction. Next in order are C.M.G.
(Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George); D.S.O. (Distinguished
Service Order); M.C. (Military Cross). G.C. stands for George Cross, awarded for
extreme civilian bravery (dating from World War II).
verge, n. grass shoulder
Verges along roads in Britain vary in width and are favorite spots for picnicking
trippers. Making oneself at home on the verge, however narrow, is a British phe-
nomenon. Americans are amazed to see the equipment employed in this happy
activity: folding tables and chairs, ornate tablecloths, electric kettles, elaborate
picnic baskets, deck chairs, too; everything but the kitchen sink. In Britain one
sees parkway signs reading soft verges, but, when conditions are appropriate,
hard shoulder. Why shoulder in this case rather than verge, and why the singu-
lar, nobody knows. unstable verge, another common road sign, is another term
for soft shoulder. See also berm.
vest, n. undershirt
For what Americans mean by vest, the British say waistcoat. See also singlet.

vet, v.t. check
Inf. With particular reference to candidates for a job, but now commonly used
as well in security checking. By a logical extension, vet can mean ‘authenticate,’
referring to a work of art or a holograph, which is certified genuine after being
checked up on. One can also vet a manuscript for accuracy. This term is derived
vet

387
from the practice of sending animals, especially race horses, to a veterinarian
surgeon before purchase.
vice-chancellor, n. president
A university term denoting the active head of the institution. The vice- is used
because in Britain the chancellor is an honorary officer, always a prominent per-
son, sometimes even royalty.
view, v.t. inspect
In connection with selecting a residence. See order to view.
viewpoint, n. lookout point
A special British meaning in addition to point of view, as in America. See look-
out.
village, n. approx. small town
Village in Britain is more a description of a way of life than a label applied to
a particular political subdivision. The usual demographic distinction between
village and town in Britain is based simply on population, and the break comes
somewhere around 3,000.
village shop, n. see comment
The local store in a small rural community. A dying institution, as car ownership
increases and more rural dwellers shop at supermarkets.
vinaigrette, n. see comment
A small box, usually silver, with a fretwork inner lid; frequently Georgian, more
often Victorian; now greatly prized by collectors. They originally contained vin-

egar or salts; ladies carried them to help them through fainting spells. They now
make nice pill boxes.
visitors’ book guest book; register
The American equivalent at a private home is guest book; at a hotel, register. The
term applies not only to private homes but also to inns and boarding-houses.
Register is the term commonly used in large British hotels.
viva, n. oral examination
Inf. (Pronounced vy’va.) Short for viva voce, Latin for ‘aloud.’
voddy, n., abbrev. Slang. vodka
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vice-chancellor
389
w. with
Inf. A common abbreviation in informal correspondence. See also Appendix
I.D.9.
Waac, n. Wac
Inf. (Pronounced wack.) A member of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps
(WAAC) in World War I. This became A.T.S. in World War II and is now WRAC,
for Women’s Royal Army Corps. The female branches of the air force and navy
are, respectively, the W.R.A.F. (rhymes with graph), Women’s Royal Air Force,
and the W.R.N.S. (pronounced wrens), Women’s Royal Naval Service. See also
Wren.
waffle, n., v.i. 1. n., Slang. twaddle
2. v.i., Slang. gabble
3. v.t., v.i., Inf. yelp
1. n., Slang. As a noun waffle describes anything silly or useless.
2. v.i., Slang. To waffle conversationally is to engage in silly chatter; to gabble,
prate.
3. v.t., v.i., Slang. To waffle a cry of pleasure is to yelp it. Rarely, woffle.

wage restraint wage control
Especially as exercised by workers making modest demands on their employer.
See also pay policy; social contract.
wage-snatch, n., Inf. payroll holdup
wages sheet payroll
wage stop, n. see comment
The policy of not allowing a person to receive more money from unemployment
insurance than he would earn if he were working. Also used as a transitive verb,
wage-stop, signifying the application of this policy.
waggon, wagon, n. car
Railroad term, especially goods-waggon, meaning ‘freight car.’ A waggon shed is a
car barn. The American spelling with one g is gaining precedence.
wag it Slang. play hookey
Synonymous with play truant. Also, play wag or play the wag.
waistcoat, n. vest
Waistcoat is rare in America, and when used is more often pronounced weskit
than wastecote. In Britain, it should be pronounced as spelled or with the first t
silent, and the preferred American pronunciation is considered at least colloquial,
or even vulgar, though it was considered correct not many decades ago. Waistcoat
w
h
is used in Britain the way hat is used in America in expressions like to wear sev-
eral waistcoats or wear more than one waistcoat, i.e., to act in a number of different
capacities. In America, one is said to wear several hats to indicate activity in dif-
ferent capacities. For British meaning of vest, see vest; singlet.
wait for it! interj. 1. Slang. take it easy!; hold your horses!
2. Slang. get this!; mind you!
1. Slang. Extended from its use in the army by sergeants teaching new recruits
the drill (“Present—wait for it—arms”). Do not begin until you hear my order.
2. Slang. Further extended to mean ‘wait till you hear this,’ and used on the

model of the army command as a pause word to underline the irony of the fol-
lowing statement. The boss told me —wait for it—I had to start working every Sun-
day.
waits, n. pl. Christmas carolers
Very rare.
wake-up operator see comment
If you have no alarm clock, or don’t trust the one you have, you can dial the hotel
operator before retiring for the night and ask to be called at a fixed time next
morning.
walkabout, n. campaign stroll
Inf. Taken by candidates for election; also by the monarch, on certain occasions.
walking stick. See cane.
walk out, v.i. Inf. go steady
Inf. A courtship term, very old-fashioned. By contrast, walk out on somebody
means desert that person.
walk slap into. See slap.
wallah, n. approx. -man
A servant or employee charged with the performance of a particular service.
Thus, the member of the household staff who worked the punkah was known
as the punkah-wallah, and so on. Applying the term to American situations, wal-
lah would appear to come out simply as -man: the individual who repairs your
typewriter is the typewriter-man; e.g., iceman, barman, etc. A bag-wallah, in the old
days, was a traveling salesman. Nowadays the term is either old-fashioned or
jocular, depending on the use.
wallpaper music piped music
Inf. Muzak is the trademark in both countries.
wally, n. Inf. a fool
wank, v.i. Slang. jerk off
Slang. Masturbate.
wanker, n. Slang. a foolish or despicable person

Literally, a masturbator. See wank.
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wait for it!
want, v.t. 1. take; require
2. need; lack
1. Example: It wants a bit of courage to sail the Atlantic alone.
2. Example: All the wheels want is a drop of oil; that picture wants to be hung higher; that
child wants a good spanking. In this connection a special use is found in archaic expres-
sions of time: It wants ten minutes to twelve meaning ‘it is ten minutes to twelve.’ The
British tend to avoid want in the sense of ‘desire’ or ‘wish,’ for reasons of politeness.
Where an American would say, I want this changed, or Do you want a memo? a Briton
would usually say, I would like this changed, or, Would you like to have a memo? To Brit-
ons, I want may sound imperious, and Do you want? is considered less polite than
Would you like? or Do you wish? A British usage sometimes heard in America is want
in the negative, for shouldn’t, as in, You don’t want to oil this machine too often. This
usage means that ‘it is not the best (or the right) way to treat it.’
warder, n. prison guard
Wardour Street approx. movie business
Inf. A street in London that is the center of the film industry and used figuratively
to refer that business, the way Americans use Hollywood. The films themselves
are shot elsewhere. Wardour Street used to be noted for its antique and imitation-
antique shops, especially the latter, giving rise to the term Wardour Street English,
meaning ‘sham-antique diction,’ the type common in inferior historical novels.
This type of language is also called gadzookery or tushery.
wardship, n. custody
Of minor children, in divorce matters.
warned off banned
A euphemism applied to owners, trainers, jockeys, or bettors (punters in Britain)
who break the rules of racing and are prohibited from attending races. The ban-

ning is effected by the Jockey Club, located at Newmarket, the headquarters of
British racing.
wash, n. use of the bathroom
Inf. When your host asks whether you would like a wash he is offering you the use
of all his bathroom facilities.
wash, v.i. Inf. stand up
Inf. Always used in the negative: It (that story, that excuse) won’t wash. See also
wear.
(The) Wash. See under (The) Fens.
wash-cloth, n. dishrag
Sometimes called dish clout.
washing-book n. account book
Slang. An informal account book, for instance as between friends on a trip where
one pays all the expenses and there is a settlement at the end. It can also mean a
‘running score,’ as during a social weekend of bridge. No American slang equiva-
lent.
washing things toilet articles
washing things

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