Have a dekko 👀🤏

Meaning

To take a quick look or peek at something.

Origin

This cheeky phrase originated in India during the era of British colonial rule. It comes from the Hindustani word 'dekhna,' meaning 'to see' or 'to look.' British officers and soldiers stationed there adopted it into their own lexicon as a casual way to ask someone to cast their eyes over something. It's a perfect example of how language travels and borrows, adding a bit of colonial flair to ordinary observation before settling into common British slang.

🗣️ communication 🔒 secrets 😮 surprise

Have a dekko represented with emoji👀🤏

This playful pairing invites us to consider the simple, yet profound, act of observation. The eyes 👀 signal a prompt to see, while the pinching fingers 🤏 suggest a delicate, perhaps even fleeting, engagement with what is before us. Together, these emojis present a whimsical invitation to 'have a dekko' – a delightful reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a quick peek to catch something wonderful.

Examples

  • Have a dekko at this new app I found, it's quite useful.
  • Can you have a dekko at my outfit before I go out?
  • The cat's attempting to have a dekko at the mysterious rustling in the bushes.
  • Let's have a dekko at what the garden gnomes are up to tonight.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'have a dekko' a formal or informal phrase?

'Have a dekko' is distinctly informal. It's a slang term used in casual conversation among friends or colleagues, not appropriate for formal settings.

What's the best way to reply if someone tells you to 'have a dekko'?

A good reply is to simply acknowledge the request and then proceed to look, such as 'Sure, let me see' or 'Right, I'll take a look.' The phrase implies a brief, casual observation, so your response should match that tone.

Why is 'have a dekko' sometimes considered to have a British connotation?

Although originating in India, 'have a dekko' became popularised and commonly used by British soldiers and officers during colonial times, leading to its strong association with British English slang. It is still widely used in the UK and parts of the Commonwealth.

Can 'have a dekko' be used ironically?

Yes, 'have a dekko' can be used ironically, especially if the item being looked at is obviously broken, strange, or something one wouldn't normally be curious about. The lightheartedness of the phrase lends itself well to wry or sarcastic commentary.

Similar to "Have a dekko"

Take a gander
Both invite a casual glance, but 'take a gander' feels a bit more old-fashioned and folksy, like you're spotting something with amusement
Cast your eye over
Both mean to look at something briefly, but 'cast your eye over' sounds more measured and perhaps a bit more formal, as if you're assessing it quickly
Get a load of this
Both are calls to observe, but 'get a load of this' is much more energetic and informal, usually highlighting something remarkable or surprising you've just found

Opposite of "Have a dekko"

Give it the cold shoulder
This phrase argues for deliberate avoidance, the complete antithesis of taking a peek, suggesting that ignoring something is sometimes the necessary or dignified response
Look the other way
This argues for willfully ignoring something, a direct contrast to the curiosity implied in 'have a dekko,' suggesting that sometimes turning a blind eye is the intended action

Related to "Have a dekko"

Peekaboo
This shares the element of a quick, perhaps surprising, reveal, but links it to a child's game of hide-and-seek
Scout around
While 'dekko' is a single glance, 'scout around' implies a more systematic, though still potentially brief, search for information or something specific
Snoop around
This phrase shares the intent of looking, but adds a connotation of clandestine or unauthorized investigation, a twist that 'dekko' doesn't carry
Reconnaissance
This is the strategically focused, often military, version of a quick look, where a 'dekko' is a casual, everyday action