A British and Irish informal term for an off-licence -- a shop licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises (as opposed to a bar or pub). The British/Irish sense is the most broadly known. In Australian cricket slang, 'offy' separately refers to an off-break bowler or delivery. The word is an excellent example of a short informal form that carries entirely different meanings in different contexts.
Offy means: A British and Irish informal term for an off-licence -- a shop licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises . The British/Irish sense is the most broadly known. In Australian cricket. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
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 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.
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He nipped to the offy before they closed and came back with a six-pack.
Offy means: A British and Irish informal term for an off-licence -- a shop licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises . The British/Irish sense is the most broadly known. In Australian cricket. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
offy means: A British and Irish informal term for an off-licence -- a shop licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises . The British/Irish sense is the most broadly known. In. Register: very informal, slang. Suitable only for casual conversation, chat and social media. Do not use in business, academic or news writing. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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(Australia, cricket, slang) An off break.
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(Australia, cricket, slang) An off spinner.
“Stop showing off then show offy McShowoff. 😂”
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(Ireland, British, slang) An off-licence.
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