(Image: Staff)
Yorkshire folk have long been known for their distinctive way of speaking. From the mills of Bradford and Halifax to the dales and market towns of the county, many traditional words and phrases have survived for generations.
While accents vary across God's Own County, these expressions remain a treasured part of Yorkshire identity, adding warmth, humour and character to everyday conversations.
Here are 20 classic Yorkshire sayings and what they mean.
1. Dinnertime and Teatime
Translation: Lunch and Dinner
Meaning: In Yorkshire, you have your dinner at mid-day. Teatime is your evening meal.
2. Nah Then
Translation: Now Then
Meaning: A common greeting from Yorkshire folk.
3. Ey Up
Translation: Hey Up
Meaning: A greeting, often when meeting someone unexpectedly. Often used by Southerners as an example of how people from Yorkshire speak - 'Ey up lad!'
4. Be Reyt
Translation: Be okay
Meaning: Everything will work out okay in the end.
5. Ow Much?
Translation: How much?
Meaning: An expression of amazement at the price of something (usually when visiting a supermarket for the first time in awhile, or filling the car with petrol).
6. Owt
Translation: Anything
Meaning: Refers to anything at all.
7. Nowt
Translation: Nothing
Meaning: Nothing - such as 'It cost me nowt'.
8. Faffin'
Translation: Messing about
Meaning: Wasting time on a task. usually an admonishment - 'Stop faffin' about'.
9. Scran
Translation: Food
Meaning: Any food or meal.
10. Ta
Translation: Thanks
Meaning: Expression of gratitude.
11. Summat
Translation: Something
Meaning: An unspecified item.
12. Chuffed
Translation: Delighted
Meaning: Very pleased or proud.
13. By 'Eck
Translation: Heck
Meaning: Expression of surprise or amazement. Another favourite Yorkshire expression for southerners.
14. Ginnel
Translation: Alleyway or passage
Meaning: A narrow path between buildings. Also known as a 'snicket' in some parts of Yorkshire.
15. Ee By Gum
Translation: Oh my goodness
Meaning: Expression of surprise.
16. Gander
Translation: Look
Meaning: To have a look at something.
17. Sound
Translation: Good, fine
Meaning: Something that is perfectly acceptable.
18. Ta'ra
Translation: Goodbye
Meaning: To say a friendly farewell.
19. Bap
Translation: Bread roll
Meaning: A soft bread roll. Also known as sarnie or butty.
20. Mardy
Translation: Moody or sulky
Meaning: To be grumpy or in a foul temper.
21. Gormless
Translation: Thick.
Meaning: Looking confused or vacant.
22. Daft apethTranslation: Stupid. See also, gormless. Normally a term of endearment rather than an insult.
23. Mithering
Translation: Nagging.
Meaning: Also known as 'wittering'. In a state of some agitation.
More Than Just Words
Yorkshire dialect is far more than a collection of amusing sayings. Many of its words have roots stretching back hundreds of years to Old English and Old Norse, reflecting the county's rich history and Viking heritage. Terms such as "bairn", "owt" and "nowt" have survived long after disappearing from much of the country.
Although modern life has changed the way people speak, these expressions remain woven into everyday conversations across Yorkshire. Whether you're greeting a friend with "Nah then", complaining "Ow much?" at rising prices, or reminding someone to "Put wood in t'hole", the dialect continues to be a source of pride.
As any Yorkshireman or Yorkshirewoman will tell you, it's nowt to be embarrassed about.
In fact, it's summat worth celebrating.