The Birthday Party

The Birthday Party Glossary

boardinghouse

a private home where tenants live in exchange for payment

booze-up

British slang for a drinking party

bracing

invigorating

cornflakes

a popular breakfast cereal made from corn

fried bread

a core component of a traditional English breakfast; the equivalent of French toast

hatch

an opening in a wall which connects the kitchen with the living room or dining area, so that people can speak between rooms

headland

a thin strip of land which juts into the sea or another body of water

lechery

uncontained indulgence of lust

mazeltov

Jewish term for congratulations or best wishes

off her conk

British slang meaning "out of her mind"

rock cake

traditional English fruit cake shaped like a biscuit

round the bend

British slang for going insane

sanatorium

a hospital for the treatment of chronic illness such as tuberculosis

sellotape

a transparent adhesive similar to Scotch tape

succulent

having a delicious taste or quality

ta-ta

British slang for “goodbye”

taking the Michael

British slang for teasing; also called “taking the mickey”

torch

British parlance for a flashlight

tuppence

two pence

washout

a failure