A new YouGov survey has revealed which British slang terms are actually used by the public, with 'picky bits' emerging as one of the most popular and 'cozzy livs' among the least.
The term 'picky bits' crossed into mainstream vernacular in the past year when M&S embraced it in its marketing and declared National Picky Bits Day. The shop is synonymous with small salads and assorted snacks.
Popularity of 'Picky Bits' and Other Terms
According to the poll, 'picky bits' is now used regularly by 77% of Britons. It resonates across multiple age groups, from 87% of 18-24 year olds to 64% of the over-65s.
The survey, run by YouGov, examined attitudes and awareness of new terms among adults over 18 living in Great Britain, including Platty Joobs, Menty B and holibobs.
Least Popular Slang Terms
Not all terms are as popular. 'Cozzy livs' - the Gen Z abbreviation for the cost-of-living crisis - is used by just 18% of Britons. Standard writer Maddy Mussen called for an end to the term in 2025: "We can't be lying to ourselves via the whimsy of cozzy livs anymore. Life is bleak, the only way to get something done is say it with our chest."
Here is the full list of terms and their familiarity among Brits, according to the YouGov poll.
Full Ranking of British Slang Terms
- Maccy Ds (McDonald's): 88% familiar
- Picky bits (a meal made up of small, snackable finger foods): 77% familiar
- Holibobs (holidays): 73% have heard the term, but 48% dislike or hate it, compared to 25% who like or love it
- The rona (coronavirus): 45% familiar
- Tommy K (tomato ketchup): 31% familiar
- Menty B (mental breakdown): 26% familiar
- Platty joobs (Queen Elizabeth II's 'Platinum Jubilee' in 2022): 24% familiar
- Cozzy livs (cost of living): 18% familiar
- Jackie P (jacket potato): 14% familiar
- Statey funes (Queen Elizabeth II's 'state funeral' in 2022): 8% familiar, with 82% of people surveyed saying they don't like it, making it the most unpopular term in the study
The survey highlights the divide in usage of modern slang, with terms like 'picky bits' widely adopted while others like 'statey funes' and 'cozzy livs' fail to resonate with the majority of the public.
