Old local sayings
-
- Posts: 1869
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 1:33 pm
- Been Liked: 383 times
- Has Liked: 236 times
- Location: Skipton
Re: Old local sayings
'Tha's like t'arse end of a donkey' (ie you are an idiot)
-
- Posts: 17267
- Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2016 1:57 pm
- Been Liked: 6490 times
- Has Liked: 2917 times
- Location: Fife
Re: Old local sayings
When it was time for bed when we were kids,Dad used to say get up them dancers (stairs) havnt a clue about that one,also remember asking if i could stay up an watch Match of the day,he used to say go to bed and ill wake you up when it comes on,i used to wake up at seven oclock next morning without the alarm call for Match of the day ever having come....how cruel he hated football.
Re: Old local sayings
My grandad used the phrase ''thi sure tha dunt work fer Wattsus''. It was a derogatory term for anyone who was of disheveled appearance.
Watt's was a cotton mill and apparently the workers would appear after a shift covered in cotton weft.
Watt's was a cotton mill and apparently the workers would appear after a shift covered in cotton weft.
-
- Posts: 4197
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 11:07 am
- Been Liked: 1007 times
- Has Liked: 2048 times
- Location: North Hampshire
Re: Old local sayings
I think this is maybe a general northern one (and probably still used) - when its very hot/sunny "sun's cracking t'flags".
Not local to Burnley but one expression I really liked when picked up living in Co Durham: "You'll get wrong off yer mam" = you'll get in trouble with your mother. (A variation on "yer dad'll give you a belt when he finds out").
Not local to Burnley but one expression I really liked when picked up living in Co Durham: "You'll get wrong off yer mam" = you'll get in trouble with your mother. (A variation on "yer dad'll give you a belt when he finds out").
-
- Posts: 1450
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 12:45 pm
- Been Liked: 664 times
- Has Liked: 379 times
Re: Old local sayings
Dickys meadow refers to King Richard 3rd who was killed at Bosworth Field. He was the last Plantaget King and this was the decisive battle of the war of the Roses where Lancs beat Yorks.
-
- Posts: 8367
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 3:50 pm
- Been Liked: 2977 times
- Has Liked: 2075 times
- Location: Burnley
Re: Old local sayings
I'll gi yer a thick ear if you don't gi oer.
Re: Old local sayings
Well I'll go to t'foot of our stairs (expressing astonishment)
And my dad used to say as daft as a boat horse (I think this referred back to when horses led barges on canals)
And my dad used to say as daft as a boat horse (I think this referred back to when horses led barges on canals)
Re: Old local sayings
Face like a chewed muscle.
But there are many in old Lancashire dialect. I'll post some later.
But there are many in old Lancashire dialect. I'll post some later.
-
- Posts: 1058
- Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2016 7:50 pm
- Been Liked: 494 times
- Has Liked: 280 times
Re: Old local sayings
My gran says "never cast a clout 'til March is out". I once asked her what it meant and she said it means don't put your winter clothes away until the end of March. Still no idea how those words could mean that but there you go.
-
- Posts: 67880
- Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:07 pm
- Been Liked: 32530 times
- Has Liked: 5277 times
- Location: Burnley
- Contact:
Re: Old local sayings
Strangely my dad used to tell us to get up them dancers. He was Burnley born and bred yet dancers is Cockney rhyming slang for stairs as in Fred Astairs.Steve1956 wrote: ↑Wed May 13, 2020 11:11 amWhen it was time for bed when we were kids,Dad used to say get up them dancers (stairs) havnt a clue about that one,also remember asking if i could stay up an watch Match of the day,he used to say go to bed and ill wake you up when it comes on,i used to wake up at seven oclock next morning without the alarm call for Match of the day ever having come....how cruel he hated football.
Re: Old local sayings
My grandad used the phrase ‘same dog with more hair on!’
He’d use it if he bought Shredded wheat instead of weetabix or raspberry jam instead of strawberry.
He’d use it if he bought Shredded wheat instead of weetabix or raspberry jam instead of strawberry.
Re: Old local sayings
He's/she's agate - when you are explaining what someone else said
are we/we are go-en for us dinner - when you and at least one other is off for lunch, or you're asking if its lunch time
Used to get some puzzled looks when using any of them phrases when working round the various building sites in the North
Also used to get some right funny looks at lunch in the butty shop or chippy, when I asked for a chip teacake or asked for a bacon butty on a teacake.
They call them rolls, cobbs, muffin, barms etc everywhere, only in Burnley will you ask for a chip teacake
are we/we are go-en for us dinner - when you and at least one other is off for lunch, or you're asking if its lunch time
Used to get some puzzled looks when using any of them phrases when working round the various building sites in the North
Also used to get some right funny looks at lunch in the butty shop or chippy, when I asked for a chip teacake or asked for a bacon butty on a teacake.
They call them rolls, cobbs, muffin, barms etc everywhere, only in Burnley will you ask for a chip teacake
-
- Posts: 5367
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 2:42 pm
- Been Liked: 1904 times
- Has Liked: 1980 times
Re: Old local sayings
Welbyswife, your grandmother (or you) are a couple of months out. The correct phrase is "ne'er cast a clout til May is out". The first recorded,written version of this goes back to the 1760s. It basically means: never take your clothing off (clout is an early word for cloth or clothing) until the end of May. So basically, keep your warm clothes on til the end of May.
Re: Old local sayings
I was told that it referred to the May blossom being out rather than the month of May?
-
- Posts: 18002
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:07 pm
- Been Liked: 4073 times
- Has Liked: 1853 times
Re: Old local sayings
"Tha's as awkward as Dick's hatband. "...
....was quite a common one, certainly around
Clayton/Accy.
....was quite a common one, certainly around
Clayton/Accy.
-
- Posts: 514
- Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2018 3:44 pm
- Been Liked: 156 times
- Has Liked: 107 times
Re: Old local sayings
A couple my of words my grandma used to me were laking or laiking ( I don't really know how to spell it) and spice, as in:
What you laking at - what are you playing at.
Would you like some spice - sweets (I loved her loads)
What you laking at - what are you playing at.
Would you like some spice - sweets (I loved her loads)
-
- Posts: 5367
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 2:42 pm
- Been Liked: 1904 times
- Has Liked: 1980 times
Re: Old local sayings
Shakylee, the original meaning is in fact unclear as to whether it refers to the Month of May or the May flower. You pays your money, you takes your chance.
Re: Old local sayings
One from my Mother; A face you could chop wood on, last heard when she was referring to Nicola Sturgeon and Arlene Foster. Self explanatory I feel.
-
- Posts: 5367
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 2:42 pm
- Been Liked: 1904 times
- Has Liked: 1980 times
Re: Old local sayings
Toni, laking at comes from the old Norse word 'laik' meaning to play, hence the game Lego from Danish laik goedt or 'play well'.
This user liked this post: Claret Toni
Re: Old local sayings
Ee ba gum?
Think it could be Yorkshire
Think it could be Yorkshire
Re: Old local sayings
It’s geet a gate , meaning it’s caught fire
Also mum and dad talked about a place called bacagatties , anyone got any idea where this comes from ?
Also mum and dad talked about a place called bacagatties , anyone got any idea where this comes from ?
-
- Posts: 3393
- Joined: Fri May 08, 2020 7:04 pm
- Been Liked: 1004 times
- Has Liked: 905 times
Re: Old local sayings
For anybody enjoying these this is still available on kindle. A memories book.
-
- Posts: 414
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 3:13 pm
- Been Liked: 187 times
- Has Liked: 135 times
Re: Old local sayings
One I remember from childhood in Hassy was "I'm stood here like cheese at fourpence", said when someone had left you waiting. I believe it comes from cheese costing 2 or 3 pence per quarter but more expensive cheese cost 4 pence and was therefore left on the shelf.
I've started a campaign to bring it back into use in Manchester. Don't half get some funny looks
I've started a campaign to bring it back into use in Manchester. Don't half get some funny looks
Re: Old local sayings
Do you want a knob o suck,toffee from the sweet shop !
-
- Posts: 4443
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 8:20 pm
- Been Liked: 1161 times
- Has Liked: 1298 times
Re: Old local sayings
Come ayrt like a flock o' sparras
I have explosive diarrhea
I have explosive diarrhea
-
- Posts: 828
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 10:03 pm
- Been Liked: 299 times
- Has Liked: 441 times
- Location: Burnley
Re: Old local sayings
Ha ha brilliant link - Id never heard this one.
-
- Posts: 833
- Joined: Sat May 12, 2018 4:08 pm
- Been Liked: 235 times
- Has Liked: 21 times
Re: Old local sayings
Here's a couple of old sayings:
Si thi? Loose translation 'you understand?'
And the all time classic 'put thi clogs on lad, thurs trubble darn't mill'
Si thi? Loose translation 'you understand?'
And the all time classic 'put thi clogs on lad, thurs trubble darn't mill'
-
- Posts: 10974
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:38 am
- Been Liked: 5188 times
- Has Liked: 804 times
- Location: On top of a pink elephant riding to the Democratic Republic of Congo
Re: Old local sayings
It's, see you.exilecanada wrote: ↑Wed May 13, 2020 11:03 pmHere's a couple of old sayings:
Si thi? Loose translation 'you understand?'
As in... I'll si thi later.
-
- Posts: 10974
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:38 am
- Been Liked: 5188 times
- Has Liked: 804 times
- Location: On top of a pink elephant riding to the Democratic Republic of Congo
Re: Old local sayings
Lancashire dialect books/websites or whatever are always focused on central and west Lancashire.
East Lancashire is different, we have a Lancashire/Yorkshire mix if you will.
In fact if you listen closely you can/could tell the difference between Burnley and Nelson/Colne at one time.
East Lancashire is different, we have a Lancashire/Yorkshire mix if you will.
In fact if you listen closely you can/could tell the difference between Burnley and Nelson/Colne at one time.
This user liked this post: evensteadiereddie
-
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 3:15 pm
- Been Liked: 60 times
- Has Liked: 5 times
- Location: Suffolk
Re: Old local sayings
As an exile of 30 years who still gets asked to explain what he just said, I've very much enjoyed this thread. 'Skriking (sic?) is one of my faves, as is 'agate'. One which always causes funny looks is the verb 'to join at' eg "Here's a bag of sweets to join at". Many people outside of the North don't understand that this means 'to share'. More please!!
-
- Posts: 9600
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:45 pm
- Been Liked: 3148 times
- Has Liked: 10254 times
- Location: Staffordshire
Re: Old local sayings
Absolutely right, BoT, there is a definite change in accent within a few miles. It can be seen between every town from Colne through to Blackburn.
It's inteesting, being down in the Midlands, that whenever a Lanky accent comes on TV you can, more often than not, narrow it down to the right town.
If you move out towards Tod or Halifax, of course, the same happens again.
It's inteesting, being down in the Midlands, that whenever a Lanky accent comes on TV you can, more often than not, narrow it down to the right town.
If you move out towards Tod or Halifax, of course, the same happens again.
-
- Posts: 283
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:18 am
- Been Liked: 70 times
Re: Old local sayings
From Trawden, kaffle is give up, carn't finish, cat wesh- not wash properly, galiaces- braces, gawmless- stupid, mard- soft,lake about- play about, lig in bed- not get up , to cruddle- to collapse and many more.
-
- Posts: 608
- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 9:01 am
- Been Liked: 135 times
- Has Liked: 179 times
- Location: France
Re: Old local sayings
I was born in Bacup and went to secondary school in Burnley where classmates and teachers used to take the mickey about my accent. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
T'oreet? Are you allright?
T'oreet? Are you allright?
This user liked this post: Wile E Coyote
-
- Posts: 3393
- Joined: Fri May 08, 2020 7:04 pm
- Been Liked: 1004 times
- Has Liked: 905 times
Re: Old local sayings
Not just accents. As a firefighter we could be detached to anywhere in E. Lancs and the sense of humour around the stations was noticeably different.evensteadiereddie wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2020 8:46 amAbsolutely right, BoT, there is a definite change in accent within a few miles. It can be seen between every town from Colne through to Blackburn.
It's inteesting, being down in the Midlands, that whenever a Lanky accent comes on TV you can, more often than not, narrow it down to the right town.
If you move out towards Tod or Halifax, of course, the same happens again.
This user liked this post: evensteadiereddie
Re: Old local sayings
My grandad used to say "Get up't park on a nail' as a term to express surprise or disbelief. Never knew what it meant. I've always used the term 'joining' when referring to sharing, no one ever understands
-
- Posts: 1058
- Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2016 7:50 pm
- Been Liked: 494 times
- Has Liked: 280 times
Re: Old local sayings
Cheers Vino. It will be be who was wrong with the month. Probably right with May because it's gone a bit nippy these last few days! My gran didn't know the origins but said she picked it up from her dad. Great how phrases like that get past on. Is it a northern phrase or was it in general use?Vino blanco wrote: ↑Wed May 13, 2020 2:06 pmWelbyswife, your grandmother (or you) are a couple of months out. The correct phrase is "ne'er cast a clout til May is out". The first recorded,written version of this goes back to the 1760s. It basically means: never take your clothing off (clout is an early word for cloth or clothing) until the end of May. So basically, keep your warm clothes on til the end of May.
Re: Old local sayings
One from the Grumbleweeds.
Has anybody sin me' teeth.
Has anybody sin me' teeth.
-
- Posts: 25445
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 12:46 am
- Been Liked: 6930 times
- Has Liked: 11660 times
- Location: Leeds
Re: Old local sayings
As thick as a duck pluckers wick. Meaning 'spot the brain cell'. Someone who lacks intelligence.
Plenty of them about.
Plenty of them about.
-
- Posts: 5367
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 2:42 pm
- Been Liked: 1904 times
- Has Liked: 1980 times
Re: Old local sayings
Welsbyswife, the origin of ne'er cast a clout etc is not in fact a Northern phrase. It was in use in similar forms in late Shakespearian times in plays etc. It may in fact have come from a Spanish phrase "hasta el quarenta de Mayo, no te quites el sayo" ie don't take your jacket off, until the fortieth of May, which was in use in in 17 th century Spain.
This user liked this post: welsbyswife
-
- Posts: 1058
- Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2016 7:50 pm
- Been Liked: 494 times
- Has Liked: 280 times
Re: Old local sayings
Another one from my grandad. "He's so tight he'd nip a currant in half".
-
- Posts: 797
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 6:29 pm
- Been Liked: 197 times
- Has Liked: 48 times
Re: Old local sayings
Top of my head from Yorkshire, but ‘Not so green as you’re cabbage looking’ - thick bugger and ‘Spinster’s **** water’ weak beer.
-
- Posts: 67880
- Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:07 pm
- Been Liked: 32530 times
- Has Liked: 5277 times
- Location: Burnley
- Contact:
Re: Old local sayings
Totally agree. Whether we like it or not, we are probably more Yorkshire than Lancashire in the way we speak in Burnley.Bin Ont Turf wrote: ↑Wed May 13, 2020 11:23 pmLancashire dialect books/websites or whatever are always focused on central and west Lancashire.
East Lancashire is different, we have a Lancashire/Yorkshire mix if you will.
In fact if you listen closely you can/could tell the difference between Burnley and Nelson/Colne at one time.
Re: Old local sayings
Hebden Bridge and Tod used to have accents quite distinct from each other. Perhaps still do.
-
- Posts: 204
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:37 pm
- Been Liked: 50 times
- Has Liked: 10 times
Re: Old local sayings
That was an expression that was used a lot in the Navy "What do you think this is Daddies Yacht" Any family connections?dougcollins wrote: ↑Tue May 12, 2020 9:49 pmWhen my brother and I were acting above our station, my mother used to say 'D'you think you're on yer father's yacht?'
-
- Posts: 931
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:30 pm
- Been Liked: 253 times
- Has Liked: 317 times
Re: Old local sayings
Totally agree. Whether we like it or not, we are probably more Yorkshire than Lancashire in the way we speak in Burnley.ClaretTony wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2020 11:57 am[quote="Bin Ont Turf" post_id=<a href="tel:1274486">1274486</a> time=<a href="tel:1589408596">1589408596</a> user_id=284]
Lancashire dialect books/websites or whatever are always focused on central and west Lancashire.
East Lancashire is different, we have a Lancashire/Yorkshire mix if you will.
In fact if you listen closely you can/could tell the difference between Burnley and Nelson/Colne at one time.
[/quote]
Yes being an exiled Yorkshireman,I agree, proud to be a Yorkie but also proud to be a Claret, and there's plenty of us ee by gum
-
- Posts: 2713
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 10:22 pm
- Been Liked: 482 times
- Has Liked: 2292 times
Re: Old local sayings
As ta bin t' si 't monkeh?
-
- Posts: 2713
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 10:22 pm
- Been Liked: 482 times
- Has Liked: 2292 times
Re: Old local sayings
As ta bin t' si 't monkeh?
-
- Posts: 3958
- Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2016 6:18 pm
- Been Liked: 1770 times
- Has Liked: 470 times
Re: Old local sayings
I am originally from Nelson and until I worked in Burnley had never heard "I'm agait". I can usually pick a Burnley accent from a Nelson one and then from Colne, especially if from the Eastern parts of Colne - Laneshaw Bridge and the like. Definitely more of a Yorkshire twang going out that way....Bin Ont Turf wrote: ↑Wed May 13, 2020 11:23 pmLancashire dialect books/websites or whatever are always focused on central and west Lancashire.
East Lancashire is different, we have a Lancashire/Yorkshire mix if you will.
In fact if you listen closely you can/could tell the difference between Burnley and Nelson/Colne at one time.
-
- Posts: 4197
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 11:07 am
- Been Liked: 1007 times
- Has Liked: 2048 times
- Location: North Hampshire
Re: Old local sayings
Aye. Between school & uni in 1968, I worked at Loughclough textile print works. There was a mix of Burnley and "o'er t'tops" folk there. Burnley folk (me included) used to refer to the Valley folk as "nobuts" because they tended to use nobut (nothing but) in stead of "only". There was generally quite a bit of (very friendly) banter about difference in accent/vocabulary; maybe still is.kritichris wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2020 8:58 amI was born in Bacup and went to secondary school in Burnley where classmates and teachers used to take the mickey about my accent. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
T'oreet? Are you allright?
This user liked this post: kritichris
-
- Posts: 67880
- Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:07 pm
- Been Liked: 32530 times
- Has Liked: 5277 times
- Location: Burnley
- Contact:
Re: Old local sayings
Not sure it’s been posted but when we were kids you could be oined to death