Whenever it is raining or very hot, an umbrella is your friend. With the weather being always unpredictable, having an umbrella by your side is a must. This is true everywhere, especially in the UK. While it is almost always windy or rainy, it can get hot without any prior notice. Let us look into the various slang terms used by the British people regarding the umbrella.
British Slang For Umbrella (in Alphabetical Order)
Auntie Ella
Meaning:
- (Noun) Cockney rhyming slang for the umbrella.
- Example: Shoot! I forgot my Auntie Ella at home! Out of all days to rain, it had to be today.
Brolly
Meaning:
- (Noun) The most used slang for umbrella in the UK, especially in London, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It comes from the “brell” segment of “umbrella”
- Example: My brolly is foldable but expensive. I like that I can bring it everywhere so I’m always prepared.
Gamp
Meaning:
- (Noun) The Sarah Gamp character was created by Charles Dickens and is often portrayed with a large umbrella. Hence, when we say “gamp,” we refer to a giant umbrella.
- Example: Tropical countries have vendors that use gamps as shade while selling juice. They sell cheap and the service is good.
Rain Napper
Meaning:
- (Noun) An obsolete or archaic slang for the umbrella. It was still in use during the 1700s and 1800s.
- Example: My rain number got ruined because of the strong winds yesterday.
Red ‘n’ Yella
Meaning:
- (Noun) Another Cockney rhyming slang for the umbrella that is similar to“ Auntie Ella.”
- Example: My red ‘n’ yella got stolen yesterday at the office. Good thing that it was cheap!
