Welcome to this British slang dictionary of words beginning with the letter Q, where English language is colourful, inventive and constantly evolving. From well-known terms to hidden gems, discover how these expressions are used across the UK.
| quack | Noun. A doctor, by extension of its older and original usage for an untrained physician. |
| queef | Noun. A fart noise created during vaginal intercourse. Also as qweef. Cf. 'fanny fart'. [Orig. U.S.] |
| queen | Noun. A homosexual male, particularly one who is effeminate and flamboyant. Occ. Derog./Offens. |
| queenie * | Noun. 1. A homosexual male, particularly one who is effeminate. Used as a form of address. 2. Affectionate name for Queen Elizabeth II - British queen who died in 2022. * also as queeny. |
| queer | Noun. A homosexual. Once, only derogatory, but now the expression is being reclaimed by the gay community. Can still be offens. Adj. Of or like a homosexual. Verb. To spoil or ruin. Of a person, to spoil their reputation or chances. E.g."My interview is at 11, so will you stay outside in the car and don't queer it for me." {Informal} |
| queer as a nine bob note * | Phrs. 1. Very odd, unusual. 2. Homosexual. * in British currency, a bob was a slang expression for a shilling (five pence) but became obsolete with decimalization in 1971. There existed a ten shilling note, which would be worth 50 pence in today's currency but no such thing as a nine bob note, hence the simile. Cf. 'bent as a nine bob note'. |
| queer-bashing | Noun. Violence and physical intimidation toward homosexuals, usually triggered by homophobia. Cf. 'gay-bashing'. |
| queer street | Noun. Used figuratively, a troublesome situation, most commonly financially. E.g."Ever since the dad lost his job we've been in queer street." |
| queer the pitch | Vrb phrs. To interfere with or spoil chances of success, usually deliberately. |
| quickie | Noun. A brief sexual liason. E.g."I'm off home for my lunch break, for a quickie with the wife, it beats eating in the company cafeteria." |
| quick sticks | Adv. Quickly. E.g."If the rash doesn't clear up within the next 24 hours you better get to the doctor quick sticks, because it probably means you've caught something serious." |
| quid | Noun. One pound sterling. |
| quids-in | Noun. In profit, wealthy. E.g."After the deduction of my expenses I was still quids-in." See 'quid'. |
| quilt | Noun. A feeble or pathetic person. (Liverpool use) |
| quim | Noun. The vagina or more generally the female genitals. Possibly from the Celtic cwm, a valley. |