Are you watching videos on ‘Chav’ culture in the UK? You might hear a few of the lads use the word ‘leng.’ What does it mean?
This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘leng’ means ‘brilliant’ or ‘10/10.’ The phrase has several applications in ‘Chav’ English. The most common use of ‘leng’ is to describe a beautiful woman that’s a ’10.’ The ‘Chavvy’ definition for a hot girl is ‘peng,’ but ‘leng’ takes it to the next level of beauty and desire.
Leng means that the girl or woman is very attractive, and it’s part of the ‘roadman slang’ used on the streets of London, especially around the western parts of the city. The phrase can refer to men or women, but it’s more common for men to use it when describing hot girls.
However, ‘leng’ can also apply to inanimate objects, like movies, food, and other physical items. If something is ‘leng,’ it can’t get any better, and there is no room for improvement; it’s perfect. The phrase means anything really good or outstanding in the London or Stafford area, and it’s a popular saying with the youth in the region.
Example Usage
“Yeah, bruv, she proper peng, like leng ting uno, innit? Go get her digits and see if you can get in there bruv. I got your back over here, innit.”
“This spot is leng, bruv. We’ll spend some time here and sink a few, yeah? I’m glad you took me around this side; it’s peng.”
“I know that place bruv, it’s in Staffordshire, and it’s proper leng. We got the best of it out there, and you’re welcome to it, bruv.”
“This grub is proper leng bruv. I haven’t had a meal this good in ages. We need to come out here more often; it’s worth the trip.”
Origin
The origin of the expression ‘leng’ comes from London slang in the late 1990s. ‘Chav’ slang is the modern version of ‘Cockney’ slang, spoken during the 1900s. Chave slang consists of many colloquialisms describing attitudes, events, objects, and other things in life.
‘Leng’ first appeared as a moderation of ‘peng.’ People started using ‘leng’ to describe a really hot woman before the rm morphed to mean anything cool or super interesting a few years later. The term is still in use in the UK, particularly around the western areas of London.
Phrases Similar to Leng
- Hot.
- Honey.
- Cool.
- Dope.
Phrases Opposite to Leng
- Meh.
- Not cool.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Leng.
Ways People May Say Leng Incorrectly
The phrase has nothing to do with Asian surnames. While ‘Leng’ is a popular surname in Eastern cultures, it’s not the correct meaning of ‘Leng’ in slang.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Leng
You can use the phrase ‘leng’ if you’re in the Stafford area in the West Midlands in England or any local area around London where you find ‘Chavs.’ Chav culture has a set of colloquial terms, similar to the old ‘Cockney’ language of the early 1900s.
You’ll use leng in combination with other London and UK slang when talking to specific groups like Chavs and different urban youth cultures around the city. Leng often describes a woman that’s a ’10,’ but it can refer to anything exceptional or outstanding, such as great food, a fun video game, or anything that’s a top-rated experience in life.