Kissing customs and slang around the world are endlessly fascinating. Each country and culture has its own unique terms, traditions, and meanings behind something as universal as kissing. For those of us not born and raised in the UK, British slang around kissing can sound completely foreign. What do Brits really mean when they talk about snogging, shagging, or having a proper smooch? Let’s explore the wonderful world of British kissing slang!
What is “snogging”?
If a British person mentions “snogging,” they’re not talking about eavesdropping or snooping. “Snogging” is one of the most common British slang terms for kissing or making out. It refers to passionate, deep kissing—not just a quick peck on the lips. So if a Brit says they “had a good snog” with someone, it likely means they engaged in some serious kissing and tonsil hockey!
The origins of “snog” as kissing slang are unclear, but some believe it emerged in the early 1900s as a combination of “snoodle” (to cuddle or caress) and “bog” (to kiss). It’s also possible it derives from the Scottish term “snooker,” meaning to snuggle. The term started gaining steam in the 1950s and 1960s. By the 1990s, “snog” was widespread slang in the UK for French kissing or making out.
What does it mean to “cop off” with someone?
“Copping off” is another common British slang term for kissing and hooking up. If a Brit says they “copped off” with someone, it means they engaged in some smooching or casual romantic activity with that person. For example, “I copped off with her at the bar last night.” It doesn’t necessarily mean they slept together, just that they shared some kisses.
The origins of “cop off” trace back to post-war Britain in the 1950s. Its exact etymology is unclear, but some believe it derived from the word “copulate.” Others link it to the police term “cop” since both relate to catching or grabbing something. By the 1990s, it had entered mainstream British slang as a casual way to reference kissing, flirting, and hooking up.
What does it mean to “snog” or “shift” someone?
In the UK, the terms “snog” and “shift” are often used interchangeably. If a British person says they “snogged” or “shifted” someone, they mean they engaged in passionate, lustful kissing with tongue with that person. It refers specifically to intense French kissing, not just a brief kiss or peck. “Shift” may also imply other intimate touching and groping beyond just kissing.
The origins of “shift” in this context trace back to the late 1800s. It originally referred to a shapeshifter, morphing from one form to another. This likely inspired the slang usage of “shift” to mean moving from chatting someone up to full-on snogging with them. By the 1920s, “shift” had entered British slang as a way describe kissing and necking with someone.
What does it mean to “snog their face off”?
If a British person describes “snogging someone’s face off” they likely engaged in a very long, very intense makeout session with them. It refers to passionate, intense French kissing for an extended period of time—so much so that one’s “face might fall off.” This exaggerated phrase expresses just how much kissing and tonsil hockey occurred during the encounter.
This silly metaphorical phrase emerged in British slang in the early 2000s. It hyperbolically communicates passion and vigor when it comes to intense kissing and hooking up situations. The equivalent American slang might involve “sucking face.” If a Brit says they “snogged his face off” you can bet there was some serious smooching going on!
What does “pashing” mean in British slang?
“Pashing” is a common British and Australian slang term for kissing with tongue. It refers specifically to intense French kissing or making out. Similar to “snogging,” if someone says they were “pashing” with a romantic partner, it indicates a lustful, tongue-filled kissing session took place.
The exact origins of “pashing” are unclear but it first emerged in English slang in the 1950s. Linguists suspect it developed as a variation of the word “passion.” It eventually entered youth slang in Britain and Australia as a way to describe amorous kissing and tonsil hockey. Next time an Aussie or Brit mentions “pashing,” you’ll know what sort of kissing they’re really talking about!
What does “shag” mean in UK slang?
“Shag” is a common British slang term for having sex. But in certain contexts, it can also refer to kissing. If a British person says they “shagged” someone, there is some ambiguity about whether they went all the way or just kissed. But the implication is usually that some intimate physical activity occurred.
The origins of “shag” trace back to the late 1500s. It originally referred to rough matted hair or cloth with a coarse texture. In the 1700s, it became popular British slang for sexual intercourse. By the 1960s, use of “shag” to imply sex entered mainstream British culture and language. So if a Brit talks about “shagging” someone, assume they mean passionate physical intimacy, whether kissing or otherwise.
What does “snogging” imply vs “shagging”?
There’s an important difference between the terms “snogging” and “shagging” in British slang:
- “Snogging” specifically refers to passionate kissing/making out
- “Shagging” typically implies sexual intercourse
However, context is important. Sometimes “shagging” can also suggest intimate kissing rather than going all the way. But in general:
“Snogging” = Kissing/Making Out
“Shagging” = Sex/Intercourse
So a British person is much more likely to say they “snogged” someone rather than “shagged” them if kissing/making out was as far as things went physically. The two terms are related as sexual slang, but have different common meanings.
What does “tonsil hockey” mean in slang?
“Tonsil hockey” is a fun British slang term for particularly intense, lusty French kissing where tongues are extensively involved. If a Brit says they played “tonsil hockey” with someone, it likely means they engaged in a steamy, deep kissing session full of tongue action and saliva swapping.
This silly term emerged in the early 1960s and was popularized by the book *The Tonsil Hockey Club* by R. W. Holder in 1965. The image of people “playing hockey” with each other’s tongues and tonsils caught on a lively metaphor for slobbery, lust-filled kissing. By the 1980s, “tonsil hockey” was widely used in cheeky British slang to reference intense tongue kissing.
What does “snogging” refer to?
In summary, typical meanings for the British slang term “snogging” include:
- Kissing, french kissing, making out
- Intense, deep, passionate kissing with tongue
- Prolonged kissing and intimate touching/groping
- A lustful kissing and groping encounter or session
So if a British person says they were “snogging” with someone, they likely engaged in extended, amorous kissing and intimate physical contact. It does not typically imply having sex, only intense kissing/making out. The key is passion! A little peck doesn’t count as “snogging.” Proper British snogging involves lust and tongue!
What are some synonyms for “snogging”?
Some common slang synonyms for “snogging” in British and international English include:
| British Slang | American Slang |
|---|---|
| Snogging | Making out |
| Shifting | Tonsil hockey |
| Pashing | Sucking face |
| Tonsil hockey | Swapping spit |
| Copping off | Smooching |
So next time a British friend mentions they “snogged” or “shifted” someone, you’ll know they mean they engaged in some passionate kissy face! The Brits sure have inventive slang for locking lips.
What are some classic British phrases referencing kissing?
Beyond specific slang words, there are many fun British phrases referencing kissing and intimacy. Here are a few classic examples:
- “Snog my face off” – Engage in incredibly intense, lustful kissing
- “Cop a quick smooch” – Briefly kiss someone on the mouth
- “Play tonsil tennis” – Kiss with tongues touching, like a tennis match
- “Swap spit” – Exchange saliva during passionateFrench kissing
- “Have a proper snog” – To French kiss at length with passion and vigor
- “Plant one on me” – Give an intense romantic kiss on the lips
These colorful British phrases capture the cheeky humor and passion of British-style kissing and intimacy. They are evocative, vivid, and sometimes downright silly ways to reference locking lips with someone.
How did “snogging” enter popular culture?
Kissing and “snogging” in particular featured prominently in British popular culture throughout the 1900s:
- The term was used extensively in novels like Enid Blyton’s boarding school tales (1940s-60s)
- Mills and Boon romance novels brought “snogging” to mainstream audiences (1950s-60s)
- British youth culture like the mods/rockers adopted “snogging” as popular slang (1960s)
- UK tabloids partook in “kiss and tell” stories about celebrities caught “snogging” (1960s-onward)
- British TV shows like Doctor Who (1960s-onward) reflected the rise of youth slang like “snogging”
By the 1990s, “snogging” was firmly embedded in British pop culture and slang as a widely recognized term for passionate kissing and embracing.
Does “snogging” have a romantic or lustful connotation?
The slang term “snogging” has both romantic and lustful flavors. On one hand, it can reference kissing in a romantic context like with a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or date. In this sense, it conveys deep affection. But it often carries a more lustful connotation, suggesting desires like attraction and arousal are involved too.
Other terms like “making out” or “tonsil hockey” probably skew slightly more toward lust. But “snogging” seems to sit right in the middle between romance and lust—it implies a mix of passion, intimacy, and desire. So snogging your significant other can certainly be romantic, but there is usually an element of sexual chemistry mixed in too.
Does “snogging” mean the same thing in the UK vs US?
The slang term “snogging” is primarily used in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Americans would be more likely to say “making out” or “smooching” to describe passionate kissing. However, the meaning is the same – deep, intimate, lustful kissing between two people. The vocabulary differs, but snogging and making out fundamentally reference the same romantic and sexual behavior, no matter how you phrase it!
Conclusion
The many wonderful British slang words and phrases for kissing provide humor, charm, and color to the language of love and passion. From “snogging” to “shagging” to playing “tonsil tennis,” the Brits have invented all sorts of silly and evocative ways to talk about locking lips. These terms reflect both the playfulness and the intimacy of British culture. So next time an English friend mentioned “snogging,” “shifting” or “copping off,” you can speak the language of love like a true Brit!