Innit

Innit (exclamation / contraction / British slang)

(Also heard as: Init, Innit though, Trust, innit)

Definition: Short for “isn’t it.” Used at the end of a sentence to get someone to agree with you, or tossed out on its own as a quick one-word reply meaning “I completely agree” or “tell me about it.”

Where It Comes From: Born out of cockney, working-class London, and multicultural London English (MLE), lazily squashing the phrase “isn’t it?” into two quick syllables. It’s been knocking around British street talk and playground chatter for decades, eventually breaking through to the whole country thanks to UK grime, Ali G, and British TV.

How People Actually Use It: Tossed into nearly every conversation without even thinking about it. You’ll hear it down the pub when someone comments on the foul weather, after someone complains about train delays, or when your mate states an obvious fact and just wants you to back them up. It doesn’t even have to make grammatical sense—people stick it on the end of sentences that don’t even use the word “is.”

Examples in the Wild:

• “It’s absolutely boiling outside today, innit?”

  Translation: It is very hot out today, don’t you agree?

• “Mate, that referee was completely blind today.” / “Innit though.”

  Translation: “The referee had an awful match.” / “I know, tell me about it.”

• “We should’ve just stayed home and ordered a takeaway, innit.”

  Translation: We definitely made the wrong choice by coming out tonight.

Similar Slang: Right, Exactly, You know, Spot on, 100%, Isn’t it, Trust