Alcohol is the great unifier — people may drink different spirits, but the culture around it is just as intoxicating. And nothing says drinking culture quite like the slang that comes with it. From cheeky British phrases to Aussie drunk-talk, here’s your crash course in booze slang from around the globe. Next time you’re at a bar with international friends, you’ll sound like a local (or at least like the fun drunk in the group).
United Kingdom: Pint-Perfect Slang
- “On the lash” – Going out drinking (usually with the intent to get properly sloshed).
- “Legless” – So drunk you can barely stand.
- “Hair of the dog” – That morning-after pint meant to cure a hangover. Spoiler: it rarely works.
United States: Party Stateside
- “Pre-gaming” – Drinking before actually going out. Because apparently, one bar tab isn’t enough.
- “White Claw wasted” – A millennial spin for when spiked seltzers sneak up on you.
- “Throwing back shots” – Rapid-fire shots until common sense leaves the building.
Australia: The Land of the Never-Ending Happy Hour
- “On the piss” – Their way of saying “I’m going drinking.”
- “Schooner” – A glass of beer, but ask for a pint and you’ll be outed as a tourist.
- “Plastered” – Beyond drunk, basically ready to hug a kangaroo on your way home.
Ireland: Where Pints Flow Like Rivers
- “Locked” – Absolutely hammered.
- “Session” – A marathon drinking night (often lasting until you forget what day it is).
- “Craic” (pronounced ‘crack’) – Fun, banter, and good times — often fuelled by Guinness.
India: Our Desi Spin
- “Jugaad peg” – That last bit of whiskey stretched with soda because supplies are running low.
- “Tharra” – Local, often potent country liquor (definitely not for the faint-hearted).
- “Patiala peg” – An extra-large serving of booze, straight from Punjab with love.
Japan: Kanpai Culture
- “Nomikai” – After-work drinking party with colleagues. A mix of bonding and light gossip.
- “Ikki” – Downing your drink in one go. Like “bottoms up,” but with extra respect.
- “Kanpai” – The universal Japanese toast. Say it before your first sip or risk bad luck.
Germany: Beer & Beyond
- “Prost!” – Their go-to toast (and the only German word you’ll need at Oktoberfest).
- “Bierleichen” (Beer corpse) – That friend who passed out mid-festivities.
- “Stammtisch” – The regular’s table at a pub, aka the OG squad hangout spot.
Mexico: Tequila Territory
- “Pedo” – Literally “fart,” but slang for being drunk (as in andar bien pedo = super drunk).
- “Crudo” – Hungover, but in a poetic, suffering kind of way.
- “Botana” – Bar snacks, because no Mexican drinking session is complete without food.
Summing Up
Booze slang isn’t just about getting tipsy — it’s a peek into how cultures celebrate, socialize, and sometimes survive their hangovers. Whether you’re on the lash in London, on the piss in Sydney, or nursing a Patiala peg at home, one thing’s clear: drinking comes with its own language, and it’s as intoxicating as the booze itself.
