What does git mean?
Git is chiefly an informal British noun for someone regarded as unpleasant, contemptible, or stupid; in strongly derogatory contexts it can be a serious insult. It is also understood, though less common, in American English and is sometimes used simply for a fool or irritating person. The expression “poor git” can sound sympathetic rather than wholly hostile, while compounds such as “complete git” are openly abusive. Git also exists as a rare informal verb meaning to get something wrong, often in the expression “git it wrong.” The word’s exact origin is uncertain, but it is attested from the early nineteenth century and has been linked, not securely, to an older word for a child or offspring. What makes git memorable is its compact, emphatic force: one short syllable can turn a description of a person into a cutting judgment of character. It remains a recognizably British piece of plain speech, informal but vivid in a way that softened euphemisms often are not.
An offensive, contemptible, or unpleasant person.
"She refused to speak to the git after he lied about the missing money."
Strongly derogatory and chiefly informal British English.
Informally, to get something wrong.
"Follow the settings carefully, or you'll git it wrong."
Rare and chiefly British; often used in the expression “git it wrong.”
The plural is gits, though it is rarely needed because the singular term is normally used dismissively or abusively.
"The article described them as a group of gits who had exploited their colleagues."
Git is a quintessentially British insult: blunt, derogatory, and delightfully unapologetic.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does git come from?
The word is attested in English by the early nineteenth century as a term for a contemptible person. Its precise origin is uncertain; it has sometimes been linked to an older sense of get meaning “child” or “offspring,” but that derivation is not secure.
Related word forms
How git is actually used
Git is strongly derogatory and can be seriously offensive, especially when directed at a public figure. It is more established in British English, although it is understood in American English; the verb is rare and informal.
Easily confused with git
Get is a common English verb, whereas git is chiefly a British insult and, rarely, an informal verb meaning to get something wrong.
Gift is pronounced with an additional final consonant and means something given to another person.