'I'm an American living in the UK and can't get over three insults Brits use'

Daily Mirror

17-06-2025

An American man who has lived in the UK for three years has shared the slang insults he can't stop saying. He's really obsessed with how 'elegant' they sound
An American man who moved to the UK has shared his favourite slang insults that are used here in Blighty. Social media sensation K Jordy, who refers to himself as a "mere Yank amongst Brits", has been documenting his adventures online ever since moving three years ago.
The content creator has garnered widespread attention for his candid comparisons of UK and US lifestyles, particularly in areas such as cuisine, sports, language, and leisure activities. His viral clips have proven to be so popular that he's garnered more than 20 million TikTok likes and 68,000 YouTube followers.
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And in his recent post, he opened up about the jibes he's adopted into vocabulary since settling in London. Praising UK slang, he said: "Have you ever been roasted, just so, elegantly? Well, today let me show you the greatest of all time British insults. You won't believe these British insults."
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Jordy then went on to list the following three slang words...
1. Melt
Jordy said his number one British insult is calling someone a 'melt'. The term likely derives from the literal sense of "melt" – to lose composure, to dissolve, or to become weak.
In London street slang, "melt" has been used for some time to describe someone who is a bit of a fool or who "melts down" emotionally.
The word gained mainstream popularity through Love Island, where contestants frequently used it to mock others who were seen as acting foolishly or getting too emotionally involved.
Jordy loves the slang – and shared how he'd typically use it in a sentence. He explained: "Mate, he's an absolute melt. It's someone who is like overly emotional, can be manipulated easily, weak, almost like a simp. Your girlfriend has been doing you dirty but you're still with her - what an absolute melt."
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2. Donkey
Jordy's second favourite British insult, which he dubs a "Hall of Fame contender", is 'donkey'.
Donkey is an insult that's been used in the UK for generations – a lot like the word 'ass'. The working animals, often used for carrying loads, are unfairly stereotyped. Their association with menial labour makes people believe they're best for simple tasks only.
The insult is reinforced by stories, fables (like Aesop's), and popular culture (such as the character "Donkey" in Shrek, who is lovable but often silly).
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Jordy said: "He might not be the smartest, might be a bit stubborn - an absolute donkey mate. And when I think of donkey I also think of Shrek."
3. Mug
And "last but not least" on Jordy's list is calling someone a "mug".
In the 19th to 20th Century, the word "mug" evolved in British slang to mean someone who is easily fooled, gullible, or a victim of a trick or scam.
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For example, people in the criminal underworld used it to describe someone who could easily be conned.
Today, calling someone a "mug" is to call them an idiot, fool, or someone who's easily taken advantage of. Putting the word in context, Jordy joked: "If you are an absolute mug, you're like an idiot, you're gullible.
"But here's the thing, there's also 'mugged off', almost like 'do you mistake me for a fool?'."
So there you have it, three British insults that an American can't stop using! Which ones would make your list? Don't forget to leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.