[Tom]

I am preparing to direct a production of OLIVER! in the fall of 2009 in a US high school. I am creating a glossary of British slang and uncommon words that might be difficult for an American cast and audience.

Please feel free to add any other words or phrases that I may have left out after my first pass through the libretto.

OLIVER! Glossary

beak : British slang for a judge
bill of fare : a list of dishes offered; a menu
bloke : British slang for a fellow; a man
Bow Street Runners : London's first professional police force, founded in 1749 by the author Henry Fielding and originally numbered just eight
cadge : to beg or get by begging
cheek : impertinent boldness
cheerio : a friendly way of saying goodbye
Claridge's : luxury hotel in London, located in Mayfair
cor : a British expressions of surprise. "Cor blimey" is a corruption of "God Blind Me".
flounce : a strip of decorative,usually gathered or pleated material attached by one edge, as on a garment or curtain
foot the bill : to pay for something; to pay for a bill
furbiloes : pieces of showy ornamentation, ruffles or flounces on a garment
grouse : to complain; grumble
lah-di-dah : a person who thinks he is better than other people and tries to speak as if he is from a high social class
larder : a place, such as a pantry or cellar, where food is stored
long song sellers : beggars who try to get money by long, pitiful (usually false) accounts of their woes
jimmy : a short crowbar with curved ends (also called jemmy)
mate : British slang for a good friend or companion
pease pudding : a pudding made with strained split peas mixed with egg
pip pip - an older British expression meaning goodbye
plummy and slam : “plummy and slam” was used as a password. British underworld slang meaning “All right”
put to task : censure severely or angrily
rue : to feel regret, remorse, or sorrow for
saveloy : a highly seasoned smoked sausage made from salted pork
scallywag : a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
toddy : a drink made from spirits, esp. whisky, hot water, sugar, and usually lemon juice
tally : to match or correspond
Timbuctoo : a variation on Timbuktu, a city in the West African nation of Mali.
toff : a member of the British upper classes, especially one who is elegantly dressed
trounce : to thrash; beat
uppity : assuming airs beyond one's station; presumptuous