British Slang For Child (Helpful Content!)

The most common neutral slang term for a child in Britain is “sprog” or “nipper”. These just mean child with no attached implications. “Brat” is another very common term for child, though this can also be derogatory. “Bairn” or “wean” are very common in Scotland and the north of England.

There are a few terms for children in British slang, then.

Many of them are neutral or even endearing by implication, but some are often used in a more derogatory way by people who find children to be annoying—whether a specific child or children in general.

Let’s find out more.

In This Article

What do the British call children?

The British have a variety of different slang terms for children.

The most common, and quintessentially British, are “sprog” or “nipper”.

Nipper is perhaps much more widely used, so “sprog” is likely the single most common British slang term for child that isn’t used elsewhere and doesn’t have a broader meaning.

It just means a child, and though it can sound like a somewhat unpleasant word if you haven’t heard it before, it can indeed be endearing.

Parents will use this lovingly of their children, or anyone may simply use it in a friendly way of children or groups of children.

“The sprogs seem happy with their ice cream,” for example.

“Nipper” is also very widely used in Britain to mean child.

This one is more broadly used across the English-speaking world, but in certain regions of Britain, many will simply habitually use it and think of it as being local slang.

Again, it doesn’t carry any specific connotations, it just means a child and is much more often than not used in a friendly, endearing way.

“Have you got the nippers in the car?” for example.

Other than that, there are the Scottish and northern English terms “bairn” and “wean”.

These are more geographically limited, though most will know what you mean by these terms.

They are used throughout Scotland and in parts of the border country between Scotland and England.

“Wean” is more associated with Glasgow, whereas Bairn is used throughout Scotland.

“She’s turned the weans against me,” for example.

Other than these terms, you may hear slang words such as “brat” or “toe rag” used.

These, though, are almost always used in a derogatory way to indicate a child who is difficult to deal with in one way or another.

“Spoiled brat” is a common phrase for a child who gets everything they want and acts out because of it.

Where do these terms come from, then?

Why do the British say “sprog”?

The word “sprog” was originally slang used in the Armed Forces, such as in the military.

It is first recorded in this modern form in the 1940s, and at this time had the broader meaning of a young recruit or trainee.

Naturally, then, the term was still related to the person’s relative youth. It just meant a young man, rather than an actual child.

It later developed to mean child specifically.

The word may have come from the now obsolete word “sprag”, which meant a lively young man.

This word, though, is of entirely unknown origin.

In any case, it developed into the word we now know as “sprog” and has clearly changed a lot in its sense over the years.

Why do the British say “nipper”?

“Nipper” is widely understood though less commonly used, and again often thought of as being an Australian term rather than a British one.

Nonetheless, you will hear it used in Britain very often.

The term is first recorded in this sense in 1859, where it specifically referred to a small boy.

It also was usually used for a boy who does errands and chores for workmen.

This is thought to derive from the thieves cant sense of “pickpocket”, which was “nip”.

As in, someone who would “nip” things from other people’s pockets.

It developed over the course of the 20^th Century to have a broader meaning of just any small child, and this is what it still means in Britain today.

Why do the British say “brat”?

The term “brat” originally referred to a “beggar’s child” and this was in use in the 16^th Century and perhaps earlier.

This in turn derived from a regional slang term in Britain that referred to a ragged, makeshift item of clothing—probably derived from the Old English word bratt meaning “cloak”.

Today, as mentioned, it has the more specific sense of a naughty or irritating child, so be careful with how you use it!

Why do the British say “bairn”?

This term also derives from the Old English, though it’s more heavily associated with Scotland than with England.

The word bearn in Old English simply meant a child or descendant.

This came from the Proto-Germanic barnan, and most of its use was restricted to the north of England.

Due to mingling between English and Scottish people near the border the term was shared and ultimately came down to just mean any child today.

There are a few slang terms for child in Britain, then.

Many of them are entirely implication free and don’t suggest anything beyond the fact that it is a child.

You must be careful, though, depending on the context, which one you use—a mother or father probably wouldn’t like you referring to their child as a “brat” unless they’re being one!

“Sprog” or “nipper” will serve you just fine for the most part.

More in British Slang

Founder - @PollyWebster

Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.

Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.

Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.

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