What does cor mean?
"Cor" is an informal British exclamation used to express surprise, wonder, or strong admiration, much like "wow" or "gosh" in American English. A speaker might say "Cor, look at that view!" upon seeing something impressive. The word originated as a minced oath — a softened, clipped form of "God" — dating back to the mid-nineteenth century, when such alterations were commonly used to avoid taking the divine name in vain. It is closely associated with London working-class speech and is often heard in the fuller form "cor blimey," itself a further disguise of "God blind me." Today "cor" carries a distinctly old-fashioned, cheerful, and quintessentially British tone; while still understood everywhere in Britain, it can sound quaint or nostalgic to younger ears, making it a colourful word for conveying amazement with character.
exclamationAn informal British exclamation used to express surprise, astonishment, or admiration.
- An exclamation expressing surprise, admiration, or astonishment.
"Cor, look at the size of that cake!"
"Cor, I've never seen anything like it!"
""Did you see the price of that car?" "Cor!""
"Cor" is actually a minced oath — a polite way of clipping "God" — so every time a Brit gasps "Cor!", they're quietly saying the Almighty's name without saying it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cor
"Cor" first appeared in written English around the mid-nineteenth century as a minced oath, an altered form of "God" created to avoid blaspheming directly. Such euphemistic substitutions were common in Victorian Britain, and "cor" belongs to the same family as "cor blimey," which derives from "God blind me." Despite its appearance, it has no connection to the Latin word "cor" meaning "heart," though that Latin root does live on in English words like "cordial," "concord," and "accord."
How cor is actually used
Strongly informal and distinctly British in flavour; it sounds dated or quaint to many younger speakers and would be out of place in formal writing. It is often intensified as "cor blimey" (a further alteration of "God blind me").
Easily confused with cor
"Core" is a noun meaning the central or most important part of something, while "cor" is an exclamation of surprise.
"Caw" is the harsh cry of a crow or raven, whereas "cor" is a human exclamation of astonishment.