Slang

What Does "Tel Leva Ja" Mean? Gujarati for "Go Get Oil" (and Also, Get Lost)
Tel leva ja literally means "go get oil", and it's the Gujarati way of telling someone to clear off. Here's what it means, where it might come from, and why it's so satisfying to say. Read more...
What Does "Gadhedo" Mean? The Gujarati Word for Your Favourite Idiot
Gadhedo literally means donkey, but nobody using it is thinking about livestock. Here's what the Gujarati insult really means, and why it's usually said with affection. Read more...
What Does "Kaam Chor" Mean? The Gujarati Art of Being a Work Thief
Kaam chor translates as "work thief", which is a far better insult than anything English manages. Here's what it means, who gets called it, and why we think they've got a point. Read more...
"Got a Cob On": What It Means and Why There's a Bread Roll Involved
Been told you've "got a cob on"? Here's what the Birmingham phrase actually means, why a bread roll is involved, and where it probably came from. Read more...
What Does "Bab" Actually Mean? A Brummie's Guide to Birmingham's Warmest Word
Called "bab" in Birmingham and not sure what just happened? Here's what the city's warmest word actually means, where it came from, and why Brummies abroad get soppy about it. Read more...
What Does "Thaki Gai" Mean? Gujarati for When the Battery Hits Zero
Thaki gai is Gujarati for "I'm exhausted", and it covers a lot more ground than plain tiredness. Here's what it means, why the ending changes, and why it fits modern life so well. Read more...
Council Pop: Why Birmingham Tap Water Is Genuinely the Best in Britain
Why do Brummies call tap water "council pop", and why does Birmingham water taste so much better? The answer involves a Welsh valley, 73 miles of pipe, and no pumps at all. Read more...