Cuppa
What it really means
A cup of tea. "Fancy a cuppa?" is one of the most common things you will hear in a British home or office. It almost always means tea, not coffee.
Context, tips & common mistakes
Being offered a cuppa is a small act of hospitality, and accepting one is often the quickest way to bond with British flatmates or colleagues — refusing every time can read as keeping your distance. Know the ordering code: "milk, no sugar" is the default for most adults, "builder's tea" means strong with milk, and you state your preference immediately when asked. In shared offices and student houses there is often an informal tea round: whoever gets up to make tea offers to make it for everyone nearby, and you are expected to take your turn eventually — quietly making only your own is noticed. The word itself is universal across the UK, though in the North you will equally hear "brew". One learner trap: a cuppa means tea by default; if you want coffee, say so, or you will be handed builder's tea with milk.