British English Slang – Twit.
Meaning (noun) – A foolish or silly person. It can also describe someone who is annoying, or someone who is easily fooled.
Twit is only mildly offensive. It’s often used in a humorous or even affectionate way – you might call a friend a twit when they do something daft.
Similar Slang:
- Daft – silly or foolish.
- Numpty – a similar, mostly Scottish, word for a silly person.
- A few sandwiches short of a picnic (idiom) – not very clever.
The Twits
Roald Dahl, the British author, wrote a children’s book called The Twits, about a wicked, revolting couple who spend their days playing nasty tricks on each other. It’s one reason almost every British child knows this word!
Example:
- “Jack was looking for his reading glasses for an hour last night. They were on his head the whole time. He’s such a twit!”
In the News
Spotted in the news“Don’t Become a Petulant Twit“: World Champion Max Verstappen in the Firing Line Over Unruly Behavioressentiallysports.comWhat is slang?
Slang is very informal language. It’s usually spoken rather than written, and is often used by a particular group of people or in a particular place. Slang changes over time, and using it well is a great way to sound more natural when speaking English.
Frequently Asked Questions
A foolish or silly person.
Only mildly. It is often used in a humorous or affectionate way, for example when a friend does something silly.
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