buggin's turn: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / Specialised SlangInformal, Humorous, Colloquial, Dated (primarily mid-late 20th century UK)
Quick answer
What does “buggin's turn” mean?
A fictional or non-existent event used as an excuse.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fictional or non-existent event used as an excuse; a placeholder name for a supposed future occurrence, typically indicating a lack of genuine intention or a postponement to an undefined time.
A humorous or evasive way of saying "never" or "when Hell freezes over," often used to deflect a request or promise that is unlikely to be fulfilled. Originating from British slang, it implies the action will happen on a day that doesn't exist.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase is almost exclusively British in origin and usage. It is extremely rare and likely unknown to most American English speakers, who might use analogous phrases like "when pigs fly," "on the 12th of Never," or "at the next blue moon."
Connotations
In British usage, it carries a slightly old-fashioned, working-class or Cockney connotation. It is non-offensive and mildly humorous.
Frequency
Very infrequent even in the UK, considered dated slang. Might be encountered in older British comedy, literature, or from older speakers.
Grammar
How to Use “buggin's turn” in a Sentence
It'll happen on ~I'll do it ~We can go ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “buggin's turn” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- "We'll bugger off to Spain on Buggin's turn," he joked.
American English
- Not used.
adverb
British English
- The repairs will be done Buggin's turn, if at all.
American English
- Not used.
adjective
British English
- He had a Buggin's-turn attitude to paying his debts.
American English
- Not used.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate and unprofessional. Would undermine credibility.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Only in very informal, jocular contexts among friends familiar with the phrase.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “buggin's turn”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “buggin's turn”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “buggin's turn”
- Using it in a formal context. Spelling it as 'Buggin turn' (missing the possessive 's). Trying to use it with a serious intent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a genuine, though now dated, British slang idiom. It is not a commonly used phrase in modern English.
Absolutely not. It is far too informal and flippant for any professional context and would likely be misunderstood.
Its exact origin is obscure. It appears to be 20th-century British working-class or Cockney rhyming slang-influenced humour, creating a mock-serious name ('Buggin') for a non-existent point in time.
Occasionally you might hear "Buggin's Day" with the same meaning. The core structure 'X's turn' (where X is a made-up name) can be used creatively, but 'Buggin's' is the established version.
A fictional or non-existent event used as an excuse.
Buggin's turn is usually informal, humorous, colloquial, dated (primarily mid-late 20th century uk) in register.
Buggin's turn: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʌɡɪnz tɜːn/, and in American English it is pronounced Not Standard. Approx: /ˈbʌɡɪnz tɝːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On Buggin's Turn”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a calendar where every day is labelled with a real person's name (e.g., St. Andrew's Day). 'Buggin's Turn' is the day for Mr. Buggin, who doesn't exist, so the day never comes.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE CONTROLLED BY AGENTS (a person, Buggin, controls a 'turn' of time that he never gives). FUTURE EVENTS ARE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS (an appointment is made for a non-existent scheduler).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most likely meaning of 'on Buggin's turn'?