Do British people say mate?

Mate (noun) So, 'mate' is British slang for a friend. But, like a lot of British slang, mate is a word that is used as much sarcastically as it is sincerely. You're just as likely to call someone 'mate' when they're your friend as when they're annoying you.

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Is the word mate British or Australian?

The Australian National Dictionary explains that the Australian usages of mate derive from the British word 'mate' meaning 'a habitual companion, an associate, fellow, comrade; a fellow-worker or partner', and that in British English it is now only in working-class use.

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Why do British people say mate instead of friend?

Mate. This one is often heard as a quick follow-up to the word 'Cheers'. Mate is used as a term of endearment, but also frequently used to casually ingratiate oneself with a stranger or new acquaintance. You might refer to a waiter or fellow bar fly using the word 'mate'.

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Can non British people say mate?

Diversify your vocabulary and connect to people more with the word MATE! The word “mate” is very common in Australian and British English and can help you sound a lot more natural when speaking Englsih in these places. Although it's not used in American English, it is understood by English speakers all over the world.

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When did British people start saying mate?

Mate made its way in the 1300s to Middle English from the Middle Low German ge-mate, meaning the act of eating at the same table. It is related to maat in both Proto-Germanic and Dutch, meaning partner, colleague or friend.

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BRITISH ENGLISH SLANG - "Mate"

15 related questions found

Do people from Australia say mate?

Mateship derives from mate, meaning friend, commonly used in Australia as an amicable form of address.

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Can you call a girl mate in UK?

By far the most common British slang word for friend is "mate". This is used by just about everyone in all parts of Britain. It's so common that it is really the only primary slang term for friend used anywhere in Britain—though you do have other regional terms like "mucker".

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What is the British slang for pretty girl?

Bonnie. Used in Scotland, this word means "pretty" or "beautiful", and is normally used in reference to a woman. Some think it has its origins in the French word bon, meaning "good".

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Is it rude to say mate?

A mate is a usually a co-worker, buddy or a spouse or lover, but sometimes it might be used to refer to recent acquaintance or even a stranger. But it implies some connection to you, and with that at least a modicum of respect. By itself, it is not disrespectful.

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Why do British people say oy?

"Oi" has been particularly associated with working class and Cockney speech. It is effectively a local pronunciation of "hoy" (see H-dropping), an older expression. A study of the Cockney dialect in the 1950s found that whether it was being used to call attention or as a challenge depended on its tone and abruptness.

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Can you call a girl mate in Australia?

The term "mate" is essentially gender neutral in Australia. This applies almost in all cases except perhaps if you're a male and bump into a woman who is 'generationally' older than you. In that case, just 'Sorry' or 'Excuse me' is fine.

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What is mate in Australian slang?

Mate. “Mate” is a popular word for friend. And while it's used in other English-speaking countries around the world, it has a special connection to Australia. In the past, mate has been used to address men, but it can be gender-neutral.

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What is mate in Aussie slang?

Mate. (Noun) Friend; used in a variety of different contexts. Addressing an actual friend: “G'day, mate.” Expression of congratulations: “Maaate!”

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Why do Aussies say but at the end of a sentence?

Contributor's comments: "But" at the end of a sentence is used in Sydney where it is the same as putting "but" at the beginning of a sentence. Thus "But I didn't do it!" is the same as saying "I didn't do it, but!"

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Why do Australians say oy?

"Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi" is a cheer or chant often performed at Australian sport events. It is a variation of the Oggy Oggy Oggy chant used by both soccer and rugby union fans in Great Britain from the 1960s onwards. It is usually performed by a crowd uniting to support a sports team or athlete.

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Which country uses mate?

It is a stimulating drink, greenish in colour, containing caffeine and tannin, and is less astringent than tea. Mate is especially common in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Brazil as well as in Syria and parts of Lebanon, where it was introduced from Argentina.

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Why do Americans not say mate?

Because in the US a “mate” is usually someone you MATE with which USUALLY infers a sexual or at least a romantic relationship and not a platonic friendship.

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What can I say instead of mate?

synonyms for mate
  • acquaintance.
  • bride.
  • buddy.
  • classmate.
  • companion.
  • comrade.
  • coworker.
  • playmate.

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What do British people call flirting?

"Grafting" is Scottish slang denoting a lad who is trying to get a girl to like him. A bit like flirting. You'll hear this one a lot on the British Love Island.

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What is a hottie British slang?

noun Slang. a sexually attractive person.

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What do the British people call a little lady?

Lass is an old-fashioned way to say "young girl," and it's more common in parts of Britain than in the US.

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What do British girls call their friends?

Some British slang words for "friend" include "mate," "pal," "chum," "buddy," and "mucker."

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What does mate mean in British?

chiefly British : friend, buddy. often used as a familiar form of address.

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Why do Australians say old mate?

Frequently used by adolescents when referring to a man known to them. "Old mate" or "old matey" is a substitute for using the man's name. Interchangeable for "bloke", "guy" or "fella": I saw old mate about signing up for the footy team.

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