Slang is the spice of language. It’s the cheeky cousin of formal speech—the one who shows up late to the party with a laugh you can hear from a mile away and a bag full of strange slang words you’ve never heard before. It’s what makes each region, subculture, and sometimes even individual sound distinct. From funny slang to crazy words that leave you scratching your head, this tour through some of the weirdest and wackiest slang terms from around the English-speaking world will have you questioning, “Who came up with that?”
So, buckle up! Let’s take a fun ride through the land of crazy words.
1. Codswallop (UK)
Let’s kick things off with a British classic: codswallop. This word sounds like something you might name your pet fish, but in reality, it’s a charming way of calling out nonsense. If your mate is telling you a story that sounds just a bit too fantastical, you can hit them with, “That’s a load of codswallop!” It’s essentially a polite way to say, “I’m not buying it.”
Example: “You won the lottery twice in one week? Codswallop, mate!”
2. Shambolic (UK)
When life is a bit of a mess, the British know exactly how to describe it: shambolic. Imagine walking into a room that looks like a tornado had a party in there, or dealing with a situation that’s falling apart at the seams—that’s when you’d call something shambolic. It’s wonderfully dramatic and somehow makes chaos sound whimsical.
Example: “The meeting was so shambolic, we didn’t get anything done.”
3. Kerfuffle (UK/Canada)
Speaking of British oddities, let’s move on to kerfuffle, a funny slang word used to describe a commotion or fuss, usually about something trivial. It’s like the PG-rated version of a fight. A kerfuffle is more about confusion and raised voices than anything else. Canadians have also lovingly adopted this term, which makes sense because it’s the perfect polite way to describe any drama without sounding harsh.
Example: “There was a bit of a kerfuffle at the office over the new coffee machine.”
4. Bogan (Australia)
Now let’s take a trip down under to meet the bogan, a quintessentially Australian term that’s hard to pin down but easy to recognize. A bogan is a person who might be considered a bit rough around the edges—think of someone with a mullet, blasting rock music from their ute (utility vehicle) in a singlet and flip-flops. However, it’s used in an affectionate way, much like calling someone a redneck in the U.S.
Example: “He’s a total bogan, but he’s good fun at a barbecue.”
5. Dog’s Bollocks (UK)
Ah, the dog’s bollocks—this might sound crude, but in British slang, it’s actually a huge compliment. When something is described as the dog’s bollocks, it means it’s the absolute best. It’s top-tier, first-class, and generally amazing. How exactly a canine’s nether regions became associated with greatness is a mystery best left to history, but hey, that’s the charm of slang! If you’ve had a meal, an outfit, or an experience that blew your mind, don’t just say it was great—say it was the dog’s bollocks!
Example: “That new restaurant is the dog’s bollocks—I’m definitely going back.”
6. Chinwag (UK)
A chinwag sounds like some strange facial exercise, but it’s actually just a chat—typically a long, gossip-filled one. If you’re sitting down with a friend for a good old catch-up over tea, you’re in for a chinwag. It’s one of those funny slang words that adds a bit of whimsy to everyday conversation, making even small talk sound more exciting.
Example: “Let’s meet up later for a chinwag and some cake.”
7. Snag (Australia)
It might sound like a minor inconvenience, but in Australia, a snag is much more important. It’s a sausage. Yes, that’s right—the Aussies have a slang word dedicated to their love of grilled sausages. Head to any BBQ in the land of kangaroos, and you’re likely to hear someone offering up a snag. Forget “hotdog,” snag just sounds more fun.
Example: “Toss a couple of snags on the barbie for me, would ya?”
8. Yobbo (Australia/UK)
Not too far off from bogan territory, we have the word yobbo. This slang term refers to a loud, uncouth person, often one who’s had a bit too much to drink and is behaving badly in public. It’s basically the Australian version of a rowdy hooligan. Use it when someone’s being a bit too much to handle.
Example: “The yobbo down the street threw his shoe at the mailbox again.”
9. Hunky-Dory (USA/UK)
If things are hunky-dory, everything’s just fine and dandy—there’s no need to worry. It’s a feel-good term that adds a bit of bounce to what would otherwise be a plain statement. “Fine” sounds bland, but “hunky-dory” makes it sound like life’s a song and dance. It’s one of those strange slang words that’s so old-school it feels new again. David Bowie even named one of his albums ‘Hunky Dory‘!
Example: “Don’t worry about the project; everything’s hunky-dory.”
10. Cattywampus (USA)
This weird slang word hails from the Southern U.S., and it’s as delightful as it is useful. Cattywampus describes something that’s askew, out of order, or just plain wonky. If your furniture is arranged all crooked, or things feel a bit chaotic, cattywampus is the perfect word to describe it.
Example: “The whole schedule is cattywampus after that meeting ran late.”
11. Janky (USA)
Ever had something that just didn’t work right? Maybe it was a dodgy piece of technology or a car that seemed to fall apart at every turn. In the U.S., you’d call that thing janky. It’s a great way to describe something of questionable quality that you know is going to fail at the worst possible time. A janky phone might die mid-text, or a janky chair might collapse when you least expect it.
Example: “I’m not driving that janky car to the beach—it’ll break down halfway there!”
12. Cack-handed (UK)
Being cack-handed is the opposite of being graceful. It’s when you’re clumsy, awkward, or uncoordinated—basically, when your hands are working against you. The origins of this word are unclear, but it’s been used in the UK for ages to describe moments when you’re all thumbs and butterfingers.
Example: “I’m so cack-handed today—I’ve dropped my phone three times!”
13. Doolally (UK)
If someone is doolally, they’ve gone a bit mad—or at least are acting in a very scatterbrained way. It’s an old British military term from the days of the British Raj, used to describe soldiers who seemed mentally exhausted from the heat. Nowadays, it’s a lighthearted way to say someone’s lost the plot, even if just temporarily.
Example: “I’ve been working so much I’m starting to feel a bit doolally.”
14. Fugazi (USA)
If something is fugazi, it’s fake, messed up, or just not right. This American slang term, which gained popularity through mafia movies and street culture, is often used to describe something that’s sketchy or fraudulent. Whether it’s a counterfeit watch or a situation that feels a bit off, fugazi is your go-to word for calling out the fakery. It’s one of those crazy words that instantly makes you sound like you’re in the know, even if you’re just avoiding a dodgy deal. Queue Mark Hana explaining it to Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street.
Example: “Fugayzi, fugazi. It’s a whazy. It’s a woozie. It’s fairy dust. It doesn’t exist. It’s never landed. It is no matter. It’s not on the elemental chart.”
The beauty of strange slang words is that they make everyday life feel a little more colorful. Whether you’re calling out a kerfuffle at the office or tossing some snags on the BBQ, these crazy words add spice to conversations. The next time you hear someone drop a codswallop or describe something as cattywampus, smile, because you’re in on the joke.
Slang is the wild side of language, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! So, which of these funny slang words will you add to your vocab arsenal? You might think it’s all hunky dory but just remember slang like this might make others go doolally!
If you enjoyed this list, please be sure to read our world slang for more!