A Student’s Guide to Bristol Slang: Mastering the Local Lingo - Urban Student
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A Student’s Guide to Bristol Slang: Mastering the Local Lingo

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Heading to Bristol for University? Whether you’re fresh off the train or already settled in, one thing you’ll quickly realise is that this city has its own unique way of speaking, and we’re not just talking about the Bristolian accent. If you fancy learning some of the local lingo, or just want to understand what the people around you are saying; here’s a guide to help you decode some of the most iconic Bristolian slang—prepare to sound like a local in no time!

 

Brizzle

  • What it means: A common nickname for Bristol.
  • Example: “I’m off to Brizzle for the weekend.”
  • Why it’s used: Brizzle (also Bris) is the city’s nickname. You’ll hear it everywhere. so, get used to it—it won’t be long before you’re using it yourself!

 

Gert Lush (or just Lush)

  • What it means: Nice, great, or beautiful.
  • Example: “That sunset was gert lush, wasn’t it?”
  • Why it’s used: ‘Gert’ is just a way of emphasising something is really good, so when you call something ‘gert lush,’ you’re really giving it a compliment. ‘Lush’ is used a lot in both Bristol and South Wales, it simply means ‘nice’!

 

Alright? (or Alright Me Luvver?)

  • What it means: A friendly way of asking “How are you?” Sometimes it doesn’t even require an answer, it’s just a way of saying hello.
  • Example: “Hiya, you alright?”
  • Why it’s used: A classic Bristolian greeting, it’s as much about the tone as it is the words. Throw it out casually when you see a mate, and you’ll fit right in.

 

Scrumpy

  • What it means: A type of cider that originates from the West Country, especially popular in Bristol.
  • Example: “Fancy a pint of scrumpy?”
  • Why it’s used: Scrumpy is the drink of choice for many locals, and you’ll find it in almost every pub in the city. Give it a try!

 

Cheers Drive

  • What it means: A phrase used to thank bus or taxi drivers.
  • Example: After getting off the bus: “Cheers, drive!”
  • Why it’s used: A Bristol tradition that’s so ingrained, it’s practically bad luck not to say it. You’ll hear it from just about everyone who uses public transport around here, so join in and thank your bus driver properly.

 

Where’s It To?

  • What it means: A way of asking “Where is it?”
  • Example: “The nearest shop, where’s it to?”
  • Why it’s used: This is the Bristolian way of asking directions or inquiring where something is. Get used to hearing it, especially when you’re asking for the best local spots.

 

Babber

  • What it means: A term of endearment, like “mate” or “love.”
  • Example: “Alright, babber, how’s your day been?”
  • Why it’s used: Another Bristolian classic, this is a warm, friendly term you’ll hear, often shortened to ‘babs’. “Alright babs?”.

 

Jason Donervan

  • What it means: It’s not a person. It’s the famous kebab van located in the centre.
  • Example: At the end of a night out you might hear.. “Fancy a Jason Donervan?”
  • Why it’s used: A Bristol landmark, this late-night kebab van is known for serving up post-party food like no other. Sadly, it isn’t run by the ‘80s Australian pop star Jason Donevan, but it’s still legendary!

 

Cribbs

  • What it means: Short for Cribbs Causeway, a big shopping centre on the edge of Bristol.
  • Example: “I’m off to Cribbs to do some shopping.”
  • Why it’s used: If you’re looking to splurge or just want to kill a few hours, Cribbs is a good place to go. With buses frequently heading there, it’s a good day out.

 

Mint

  • What it means: Really good, excellent, or impressive.
  • Example: “That new café is mint!”
  • Why it’s used: A more universal term that you might already be familiar with, and you might not hear it as much as some of the others. But ‘mint’ is a great way to describe something great. Whether it’s a good day out or a tasty snack, that was “mint”.

 

 

Have you heard any of these out and about? If you haven’t yet, you will now!

 

 

 

Published: 13.01.25 by Phoebe Clutton