Top 10 Yorkshire Words and Phrases

Yorkshire is home to one of the UK’s most loved accents, in fact the Yorkshire accent has been voted the most favourite sounding out of the entire UK in some poll, somewhere, however, it can also be quite confusing to non-Yorkshire folk!

So in recognition of Yorkshire Day (1st August), we have created a list of the top 10 words or phrases used in Yorkshire with their meanings, as voted for by the Albemarle team who are 99% true tykes, and a 1% Lincolnshire yellowbelly!

 

Mardy
‘Mardy’ is a word used to describe someone who is in a mood or being grumpy. The Arctic Monkeys, originally from Sheffield, released the most loved track ‘Mardy Bum’ in 2006, giving ‘Mardy’ world-wide recognition!

Be Reyt
When things go wrong, Yorkshire folk bring some much needed positivity with the phrase ‘it’ll be reyt’, even in some of the most stickiest situations! – “Cars broken down, be reyt”.

Ey Up
‘Ey up’ is Yorkshire’s famous greeting. It can also be used to say, ‘look at that’ or ‘watch out’.

Chuffin’
‘Chuffin’ is a word often used to replace an expletive!  Quite often partnered with ‘ell!’ to really express one’s annoyance – ‘Chuffin ‘ell’.

Sarnie
The great British debate of the ‘bread bun’ is a controversial matter, however we’re not getting into that. One thing for sure is that a sandwich is called a ‘sarnie’ in Yorkshire, especially when it’s filled with bacon! We love a good ole’ bacon sarnie!

Manky
‘Manky’ doesn’t seem like the most pleasant word, well that’s because it isn’t! This phrase is used mostly to describe something that’s dirty or quite frankly disgusting. “Eeerrgh, that’s manky.”

T’werk
It’s not a dance move in Yorkshire – it much more important!  It’s what most of us Yorkshire folk do Monday-Friday 9am-5pm –  ‘we’re off t’werk’

Anno
In Yorkshire, instead of the standard response ‘I know’, ‘Anno’ is the alternative phrase. “Anno, us Yorkshire folk ‘ave a great accent”.

Reyt as rain
How are you? “Aye, I’m reyt as rain, thanks”.  ‘Reyt as rain’, is a passing saying to let someone know you’re feeling good.

Si’thi’ 
An endearing phrase meaning, goodbye or see you later.  Sometimes used instead of/or as well as ‘Ta’ra’.

“Si’thi, ta’ra”.

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