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Sally Army

British slang shorthand for the Salvation Army, the well-known Christian charity organisation famous for its charity shops, soup kitchens, and brass bands.

ˈsæli ˈɑɹmihistorical2K viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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#1·Apr 28, 2026UK

British slang shorthand for the Salvation Army, the well-known Christian charity organisation famous for its charity shops, soup kitchens, and brass bands. The nickname takes the formal name and gives it a friendly, informal spin — nobody in the UK actually says 'Salvation Army' in casual conversation. You'll hear it most when someone's donating old clothes or grabbing a bargain at one of their ubiquitous high-street shops. Completely affectionate in tone.

I bagged this coat from the Sally Army for a fiver — absolute steal.
Origin: Shortened colloquial form of 'Salvation Army', with 'Sally' standing in for 'Salvation'. In common British use since at least the early 20th century. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(informal, British) The Salvation Army.

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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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