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a young man or boy
What does "lad" mean in British slang?
The structure is a simple noun borrowed from Middle English "ladde" (a young man or servant), preserved and evolved in British English. It is used in British English, particularly in Northern England and across the UK, to refer to a young man or boy, often with connotations of friendliness, camaraderie, or stereotypically masculine behavior. People typically say "He's a good lad" or "The lads are going to the pub." The term originated in Middle English and remains common in everyday UK speech, especially in working class and youth contexts, as well as in "lad culture" (drinking, sports, banter).
a male child (a familiar term of address to a boy)
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