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nosh off

A British slang term with two distinct meanings: the original/primary sense is to eat something (from 'nosh' meaning food or to eat), while a secondary vulgar sense refers to performing oral sex on a man.

ˈnɑʃ ˈɔf216 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
3 definitions
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UK
#1·Apr 28, 2026UK

A British slang term with two distinct meanings: the original/primary sense is to eat something (from 'nosh' meaning food or to eat), while a secondary vulgar sense refers to performing oral sex on a man. Context usually distinguishes the two. The vulgar sense is the more notable for a slang dictionary.

He described the quick nosh-off at the corner cafe before the meeting.
Origin: From 'nosh' (Yiddish/British slang: food, to eat) + 'off' as a verbal particle; the vulgar sense extends 'nosh' via crude metaphor. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents

"nosh off" means: A British slang term with two distinct meanings: the original/primary sense is to eat something (from 'nosh' meaning food or to eat), while.... The term has a sexual reference, so parents may want to know the context in which a child uses or hears it. In most cases it is part of normal teenage curiosity rather than a concrete worry. A short, non-judgemental conversation about consent, respect and online safety is usually the best response. Look at the wider pattern of behaviour, not the one word.

For ESL learners

"nosh off" means: A British slang term with two distinct meanings: the original/primary sense is to eat something (from 'nosh' meaning food or to eat), while.... Register: informal slang, fine in casual conversation, texting and social media but not in academic essays, business writing or formal speech. Note the regional or dialect label (British) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only

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Show 2 more dictionary-style senses (imported)
UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

To give oral sex to (usually a male recipient).

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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK

To eat (something).

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For specific readers

"nosh off" means: A British slang term with two distinct meanings: the original/primary sense is to eat something (from 'nosh' meaning food or to eat), while.... The term has a sexual reference, so parents may want to know the context in which a child uses or hears it. In most cases it is part of normal teenage curiosity rather than a concrete worry. A short, non-judgemental conversation about consent, respect and online safety is usually the best response. Look at the wider pattern of behaviour, not the one word.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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UK

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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

See all British & Irish slang slang on Slangora.

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