British Slang Kids' Clothes: What Our Sayings Actually Mean

British English is full of brilliant, baffling little phrases. We say someone is in a pickle when there isn't a gherkin in sight, and call something the bee's knees without a bee anywhere near it. We love these sayings so much that we've built a whole range of British slang kids' clothes around them.

Every Gobby Garms tee and hoodie carries one classic saying and one of our cartoon characters, printed big on the back, with a small Gobby Garms logo on the front. Here's what each saying means, so you can explain it when the questions start (and they will).

Mad as a Hatter

What it means: completely bonkers, a bit wild and unpredictable.

This one's been around in Britain since long before Alice in Wonderland, though Lewis Carroll's Hatter made it famous. Today we use it for anyone behaving in a gloriously daft way, like a seven-year-old after a birthday party.

Little Menace was born for this one: Mad as a Hatter Little Menace kids' t-shirt, £22.99.

In a Pickle

What it means: in a tricky spot, a bit of a mess, not sure how to get out of it.

Think shoes on the wrong feet, homework left at school, or a head stuck in the banister. Unbothered Blob is in a pickle, and is, as ever, completely unbothered about it.

In a Pickle Unbothered Blob kids' t-shirt, £22.99.

The Bee's Knees

What it means: the very best, top-notch, absolutely brilliant.

It's an old-fashioned compliment that has never really gone out of style. If your little one thinks they're the bee's knees (and let's be honest, they are), this is their tee.

The Bee's Knees Kid Kai kids' t-shirt, £22.99.

Not My Cup of Tea

What it means: not really my thing, something I don't fancy.

It's about the most British way possible to say "no thanks". Sprouts? Not my cup of tea. Bath time? Definitely not my cup of tea. Gobby Grace has made her feelings clear.

Not My Cup of Tea Gobby Grace kids' hoodie, £32.99.

Bright as a Button

What it means: clever, quick and lively.

A proper compliment for a sharp little one who notices everything, especially when you've hidden the biscuits. Sarcastic Robot is bright as a button and would like you to know it.

Bright as a Button Sarcastic Robot kids' hoodie, £32.99.

Tickled Pink

What it means: really pleased, delighted, dead chuffed.

You're tickled pink when something makes your day. It's a lovely one for a gift, because it's how you want the person opening it to feel.

Tickled Pink Gobby Grace kids' t-shirt, £22.99.

Bite the Bullet

What it means: to get on and do something unpleasant or scary that you've been putting off.

First swimming lesson, the dentist, or tidying that bedroom at last: sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. Little Menace is gritting his teeth and going for it.

Bite the Bullet Little Menace kids' hoodie, £32.99.

Don't Make Me Angry

What it means: consider this your final warning.

Every parent has said it, usually while counting to three. Now the teenager can say it back. Mischief Mills wears it in our youth range, made for older kids who've perfected the eye-roll.

Don't Make Me Angry Mischief Mills youth t-shirt, £24.99.

Why British slang makes great kids' clothes

Slang sayings are part of family life. They're the things Grandad said to your mum, that she said to you, and that you now hear coming out of your own mouth. Putting them on a tee turns that bit of family language into something kids actually want to wear.

They also get people talking. A kid in a "Not My Cup of Tea" hoodie will get asked what it means, and that's a nice little moment of passing the language on.

How our tees and hoodies are made

• Big design on the back, small logo on the front. The character and saying are printed large across the back, with a small Gobby Garms logo on the chest.
• Two colours. Every design comes in Deep Black or Arctic White.
• Printed to order in the UK. Each piece is printed when you order it.
• Kids' sizes from 3-4 to 12-13, plus teen sizes in the youth range. Check the size guide before ordering.

Which saying is your kid?

Mad as a hatter, in a pickle, or the bee's knees? Every family has a saying that sums someone up. Find yours at gobbygarms.co.uk and let the back print explain it for you.