British Slang For Scared (9 Examples!)

Fear is one of the most basic human emotions that we all fell from time to time.

Whether it’s that rush of fear you get when some inconsiderate drive cuts you off on the highway, or the creeping dread you feel when watching a scary movie, there are lots of different kinds of fear we can feel and lots of different things that can cause us to feel it.

The British have developed a wide and varied lexicon of terms to describe fear of all different kinds—so let’s look at some of the most common.

In This Article

Spooked

First we have a common and universal slang term for scared in Britain, “spooked”.

This one is used everywhere in the country, and even those who don’t use it will fully understand the term.

Of course, this one is by no means exclusive to Britain, and there are many places you will hear it used, like Australia or the U.S.

In Britain, though, it has taken on its own specific meaning, and is perhaps bit jokier than other, more serious terms.

“I’m a bit spooked after that ghost train!” for example.

It’s a fairly old term, though originally “spook” was a verb that simply meant to walk or act like a ghost.

This was first attested in 1867. It was not until later that it developed the sense of “to unnerve” or scare, and then later still that it became a word you would use to describe your own state of mind.

Because of its archaic nature, it is, as I say, mostly used in a less serious way today.

Scared shless**

A more modern and indeed more serious expression used to express fear in British slang is to say you are “scared sh**less”.

This is a very common, indeed more or less universal, slang phrase that people in Britain use when they are scared.

It could have varying degrees of intensity depending on the context.

Some might use it in very serious circumstances, while others might use it in more trivial situations—many will use it in both.

It’s profanity, naturally, so be careful when you use this term—it’s not very polite!

“That movie has scared me sh**less,” for example.

It’s not clear when the term started being used, although it is certainly quite recent.

The sense is that you are so scared that you have emptied your bowels, for want of a more polite way to put it!

This is not at all a new idea, but this particular construction certainly is and is mostly used among the younger generations, though understood by all.

Shscared**

Similarly, though expressing a lesser extent of fear, is “sh**scared”.

This one is a more common, catch-all expression for fear that is used more often if only because it doesn’t have the same intensity.

If you are “sh**scared,” you’re certainly very scared, but not quite “sh**less”.

Again, this one is universal though much more commonly used by younger generations.

It can be used in serious or trivial circumstances, depending on whom is using it or when.

“I have to go and see the head teacher and I’m honestly sh**scared,” for example.

This one probably arose out of similar expressions like the one above, and has more or less the same sense.

You are so scared you are going to soil yourself.

Of course, this is a joke, and people do not literally mean this, usually.

Beyond that, there’s not much we can say for sure about where this one came from—we just don’t know!

Sh*ing myself**

The last on this rather unsavory theme, next we have “sh***ing myself”, a very common British expression meaning you are scared usually in anticipation of something.

At the same time, it can also be used to describe present fear you are feeling due to something that’s happening.

There could be a wide range of ways to apply this one to virtually any kind of fear.

Whether you’re watching a very scary movie, watching your favorite sports team in a tense game, or if you’re scared that something is going to happen to you physically.

“I’m sh***ing myself right now,” for example.

Again, it’s really very difficult to say when this expression was first used.

It’s probably very old and indeed most likely the oldest of all this particular kind of phrase.

Naturally, soiling yourself is a real fear reaction, though only in the most extreme cases that most people don’t regularly experience.

More than that, we can’t say for certain.

On edge

Next we have “on edge,” a very different slang term that describes a much more low level kind of tension and fear.

If you are “on edge,” it means that you are feeling very tense and nervous and that you are scared about what’s going to happen.

Again, depending on the person using it, it may be applied in a lot of different circumstances.

You could be “on edge” because you’re waiting for medical test results, or just because you aren’t sure when you’re going to hear back about a job interview or something similar.

This one is mostly used in the north of England. “I’m on edge about this, I need to relax,” for example.

The phrase ultimately derives from the much older phrase “set your teeth on edge”.

This refers to the way that your jaw and teeth tend to tense up when you are scared or nervous.

This phrase goes back at least as far as the early 14^th Century, though this simpler sense and construction of “on edge” goes back to the 19^th Century.

Chicken

Next we have another common expression in the English speaking world for someone who is, supposedly, very scared all the time—“chicken”.

This is usually used as an insult against someone when they won’t do something because they are too scared.

Again, this could be used in a lot of different circumstances; it’s mostly used by kids, though adults will use it in a joke way.

It’s not something that people often use to describe themselves.

“You are so chicken, come on let’s watch this movie!” for example.

This slang term is quite old and has been in use in one form or another for quite a long time.

As far back as the 15^th Century, cowards were described as “henn-harte,” and the 16^th Century poet used the phrase “hen-hearted cuckolds” to describe cowards.

“Chicken” specifically comes from the early 17^th Century, and simply derived from the fact that chickens, and birds in general, were thought of as being very timid and easily spooked.

Pussy

In a similar vein, another insulting term used by British kids and young people to describe a cowardly person is to call them a “pussy”.

This one is, again, one that you won’t really hear used by adults, and is mostly reserve to children on the playground insulting each other.

It can be used in a playful and friendly way, and doesn’t always have to be outright insulting.

Of course, though, this is going to depend heavily on the context, so be sure you are in the right, familiar setting if you want to use this one—many will consider it very rude.

“He’s such a pussy, he won’t sneak out with us,” for example.

It’s not entirely clear when or where this term derives.

Some suggest that it comes ultimately from the Latin word “pusillanimous,” which means “weak minded”, but there’s not much evidence for this.

Like “chicken”, it more likely simply derives from the fact that cats are often very timid and fearful creatures, at least when it comes to interacting with humans.

Scaredy cat

In a similar vein, we also have “scaredy cat”.

This is widely understood in Britain though, unsurprisingly, it is mostly again used by kids to insult one another.

That said, adults will all understand what the term means and whether you’re in Scotland, Wales, or England, everyone will know what the term means.

“You’re such a scaredy cat!” for example.

The phrase first appeared in print in 1933, so likely predates this by some time.

It was popularized by a Warner Bros. cartoon in 1948.

Like “pussy,” it is again simply a reference to the fact that cats are very timid and easily frightened animals.

Shook

Next we have “shook,” a term which has somewhat expanded its meaning in recent years but still primarily is a slang term for scared.

It’s a lot more regional than most of the terms we’ve looked at so far, and you’re more likely to hear it, in this sense, in London than anywhere else.

It has the sense of being a little bit scared and nervous, perhaps after something has happened to set you on edge.

“I was a bit shook after the car crash, but I wasn’t hurt,” for example.

The term, in this sense, derives from the late 19^th Century, and is first attested by 1891.

Here, it first meant “disturbed” either emotionally or physically, and came from the word “shake”.

Whether you’re out of your mind with fear about something or just a little on edge, there’s a slang expression in British English to describe whatever kind of fear you’re feeling.

From being completely sh**scared to just being a bit “shook”, the entire spectrum of fear is encompassed by the rich and varied slang of the British.

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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