True meaning behind ‘off licence’ wows Brits and baffles an American expat
The term “off licence” is familiar to many, but its actual meaning often goes unquestioned.
Off licences are shops primarily selling alcoholic beverages, and although they’re still spotted on high streets and local shopping precincts, their prevalence has waned with the rise of supermarkets selling alcohol alongside groceries.
The phrase “off licence” might not have sparked much thought until an American woman living in the UK brought it to light in a viral TikTok video, admitting her confusion over the term. This led several Britons to realise they too were unclear about its meaning.
In her video, Lisa Dollan, an American mother known as Yorkshire Peach on TikTok, expressed her bewilderment: “Things I don’t understand about the UK even though I’ve been here 10 years. Starting off strong with off licence.
“What does it mean to be off licence? Who is on licence? I guess it’s because when I moved over I was already a couple of years sober and now I’ve been sober for 12 years so because I don’t drink, I don’t know [what an off licence is]. It’s just not a term in the states.”
The term “off-licence” left Brits scratching their heads in confusion after a video went viral, with many admitting they had never questioned its meaning.
One baffled viewer confessed: “I’ve never questioned ‘off-licence’ before, you’ve blown my mind and now I NEED to know! “
Another equally perplexed Brit added: “I have never understood off licence either and I’ve been in the UK my whole life.”
However, some knowledgeable individuals were on hand to demystify the term. It turns out ‘off-licence’ is quite literal – it’s a shop licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, reports the Mirror.
One clued-up commenter clarified: “Off licence is takeaway. No licence to drink on premises, only off. Rather than a licensed premises like a pub.”
A seasoned professional in the industry confirmed this explanation, saying: “Off licence is to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. An on licence is to sell for consumption on the premises – source, licensee for 20 years.”
The puzzling phrase was also a hot topic on Reddit last year, where numerous people were flabbergasted upon discovering its straightforward meaning.
Revelations came thick and fast, with one individual stating: “I’ve lived in the UK for 42 years, I had no idea.”
Others expressed similar sentiments, with comments such as: “I’m British born and only just learnt this,” and “I honestly have never known what it meant, just accepted what they were called and never wondered why.”
