Here's a few to start us off.
Idioms:
to take shanks' pony - to walk
corporation pop - water
to be in fine fettle - to be well/healthy
'ow's thee diddlin'? - how are you?
to tan someone's hide - to smack someone (a child) on the bottom
to be like the side of the house - to be very fat
Phrases:
As happy as Larry - very happy, content (Who exactly is Larry???)
As happy as pigs in shit - very happy and pleased with oneself
As snug as a bug in a rug - comfortable
Has a face like a busted galosher - someone who is miserable or sulking.
ReplyDeleteId berrer make tracks - Get going/move on.
Im goin down yard - Going to the toilet.
Goin bonnie woodin - Going to collect bonfir wood (usually children,by fair means of foul!)
He/She is like town clock, faced all round - Said of someone you thought you couldnt trust.
Will ee eck as like:He wont. "I bet me dad,ll shout at me for forgetting his fags"
ReplyDelete"Will ee eck as like".
Knocking on:Having an affair. Getting older. Calling at someones house to see if they want to go out.
Living over brush:Not married but living together.
Any road: Anyway. Any road Id berrer make tracks schools loosin.
ReplyDeleteNeither use nor ornament: Can be said of a thing or a person!(If youre in a bad mood)
Get where castor oil wont get. Said of someone who is very persuasive. "He wouldnt lend me any money, youd get where castor oil wont get".
Hi Gaynor.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for these sayings! I will try to post some background on these when I have time. In the meantime, I have to comment on "Living over brush". This is completely new to me. I have never heard anything like it before. Do you have any background information on this; in what context it is used, etc?
I heard this saying as I was growing up,but not so much lately.It was said with the pause before the word brush in the Lancashire accent.
ReplyDelete"Them two are livin over brush" Meaning they werent married.I have heard years ago in the lyrics of a song "Lets jump the broomstick" which in some parts of America and I think here,probably going back centuries,was all a couple had to do to consider themselves married.Then I suppose people began to get married in Church so that saying was taken to mean a couple werent married.
The pause before brush was the glottal stop for 'the', i.e. the expression is 'living over the brush', which becomes 'living over t' brush', then 'living over ' brush' (where my apostrophe indicates the glottal stop).
DeleteDid any other Warringtonians grow up hearing the phrase "San fairy ann" meaning It doesnt matter.
ReplyDeleteIt was the women in my family that used it.I wonder now why a french phrase was being used so much in 50s/60s Warrington.
Tater Ash pan;Being mixed up,not being able to explain whats wrong."Dont cry, its only a shadow on the wall.Yer a Tater Ash pan"(used to try and make you laugh)
ReplyDeletePut on Tick:Credit. "Will yer go fer a pound of stew.Ask him to put it on tick till Friday"
Looks a cut: Untidy,messy. "Al have ter change this frock it looks a cut"
I heard a saying the other day that I have'nt heard in years,it made us all smile. A relative of mine said to her son in law "You'll get choked off if you carry on"(told off,reprimanded) He had no idea what she meant(mind you he is from St.Helens,but we wont hold that against him!)Some more sayings:
ReplyDeleteTo have houses in't bank:To be well off.
To have eyes bigger thyan yer belly:Wanting more food than you eat,or feeling sick after eating too much."That bread will be wasted now,yer eyes are bigger than yer belly".
Ger up them dancers:Go to bed.
Some things we might be doing over the hols:
ReplyDeleteA lick and a promise:To clean something quicklytelling yourself to do it better next time.
To gad about/go gaddin': To be out and about meeting friends.
To get dolled up:Wear best clothes and make up.
"Am gerrin' dolled up tonight so and so might be at the party".
To have a jangle:Talk with friends.
Gaynor, it's like listening to my mother when I'm reading your old fashioned sayings. She was born in 1903 and lived to be 88, her parents came from Croft and Houghton Green and she would use most of those sayings on a regular basis. Thanks for bringing back so many happy memories. Here are a few of her sayings which I have used on my children, but they didn't have a clue what I was on about until I explained.
ReplyDeleteSkin a fleck for it's hide - Somebody who was very mean or stingy.
If he/she fell off the Co-op they would land in the divi - Somebody who was very lucky
Where there is least room there is most thrutching - Usually she said this if someone pushed to the front of a queue.
This is not one of her's, but one I used to hear years ago about women from Stockton Heath "Fur coat no knickers" I never found out whether it was true or not!!! - I suppose it meant someone determined to put on an outward show off being well off at any personal cost.
Yorick
Hiya Yorick, I've heard those sayings said in various ways(although I was born a bit after 1903!). My Mum was born in 1908 and Gran in 1880 and I was lucky enough to still have Gran around for quite a while, so this is probably where I heard them all and they became so familiar. Like you say,just part of every day language. It would be interesting to hear from more young people to hear their phrases and sayings. I've said before I hope we're not all emerging to talking in questions and nothing else.
DeleteHeres some more sayings.A lot of these are still heard today:
ReplyDeleteOn Pins:Nervous or excited. "hes on pins waiting for the result of that exam"
Like nobody owns yer: Looking scruffy or dirty."Go and get changed, yer look like nobody owns yer"
Crack on:Pretend."Hes cracking on hes asleep so he wont have to wash up".
Give over: Stop."Will yer give over messing with the telly"
Yer askin fer a good hidin. "This is twice av asked yer to stop.Yer asking fer a good hidin.(smack)
Mardi Bab: Cry baby."Am sure it doesnt urt that much.Yer just bein a mardi bab".
Some of these sayings go back years,some are still heard:
ReplyDeleteAm givin it a good bottomin: Cleaning something really well,usually a room.
Yer know where youll end up.This was said on any occasion when a youngster wasnt behaving or doing what he was told.We were never told where we would end up!
Less of yer old buck:Stop being cheeky.
Yer daft ape'eth.You silly thing."Thats a dove not a Pidgeon,yer daft ape'eth".
Ewt fits a neked man:Be glad youve got clothes to wear,dont be fussy.
What yer after?:What do you want or what are you looking for?"Yerve bin rummaging in that cupboard fer ages,what yer after?.
Some more sayings:
ReplyDeleteWhen Nelson gets 'is eye back: Something thats never going to happen(or you think it wont)."When d yer think me Dad will let me clock a pigeon in Mam"?
"When Nelson gets 'is eye back" That conversation actually happened.
Never in a month 'o Sundis: A similar meaning.
Umpteen times/Umpteenth time: Many times. "Av told you umpeen times,clear them things off ' table".
Its all me eye:Its a lie. "Shes crackin'on that tellys paid for, but its all me eye".
My Dad would have said: "It's all my eye and Polly Martin" (which got one hit on Google, and will now get two, I suppose).
DeleteHeres some more sayings.some of them are stranger than usual!
ReplyDeleteWasnt in it: "Was it alright Mam".
"Alright wasnt in it,it was smashing".
Goin home:wearing out: "those shoes are goin home,a think yer need some new un's"
Suns crackin' flags: its very hot.
Doolally/doolally tap: Mad in the head. "A saw Bill today.With how 'e was talkin' a think 'is goin a bit doolally".
Hi Gaynor, here's my variation, or should I say my mother's. on 'its all me eye' Her version was 'its all me eye and Betty Martin'. I haven't a clue what this end bit meant, and probably never will know.
ReplyDeleteAnother favourite of her's was 'I'll send you to Ship Calio'. Now this one I do understand, but not until a few years ago, when I discovered that there was a young offenders training ship anchored somewhere near Anglesey, and this would be our destination if we carried on being naughty. She had another threat of a similar nature but I can't recall it at the moment.
Yorick
Hiya Yorick, "Its all me eye and Betty Martin" ,that sounds more colourful than the one I knew. If you havent already done so click onto Google where various meanings are shown.
DeleteShip Calio brought back a memory of a song we used to sing in the playground while we were skipping.It told a story of a ship sailing to the Calio on the last day of September.I doubt if you will remember it aside from it being mainly a girls game it was back in the mid 50's.It would be interesting to know if any one else could put more words to it.
Youve got me wondering about the threat.Ill have to rack my brains.
Does anyone remember this one:"yer'll say ewt but yer prayers". Again it was said if somebody was telling a white lie or giving what you thought was a false compliment.
Hi Gaynor
ReplyDeleteTalking about skipping songs, My brother reminded me of one that was very popular with the girls in our backs, it went: Once you get in you can't get out unless you touch the ground. Obviously you being an ex skipper will realise that this required what I think we used to call a 'big' rope with kids at both ends of a long rope so that sometimes as many as 4 or 5 kids could skip at the same time.
A similar song to the one which you mentioned about a ship was what I think was a Liverpool song called 'The big ship sails up the alley oh, the alley alley of on the last day of September. I can remember girls singing this song as they skipped.
Here is a couple of sayings of my mother's which my brother again reminded me of
If you got a bit inquisitive about something she was doing and she didn't want to tell you, she would say she was making Layoles for meddlers, so you were no wiser with this answer. The spelling of 'Layoles' is a complete guess.
Another favourite of her's was, if you asked her what was for dinner or tea, she would say Three jumps up pantry door.
I have asked him to try and think of some more so I can pass them on.
Yorick
Those are good sayings Yorick. I havent heard of the pantry door one or the layoles. my mam would say "Mind yer nose" sometimes if we were questioning things. If we asked her what was for tea she would say"Windmill pie,if it guz round yer ger a bit" or "not much.Its barley ann day".Windmill pie sounds funny now but it didnt seem funny then.There were nine of us a the table,we always did get tea though!
ReplyDeleteI think the skipping song you mention about the ship was the one we sang as well and the one about touching the ground was also a favourite. A long rope was used with someone at each end "turning up" while the song was being sung.Usually about three girls were skipping whilst trying to touch the ground as quick as they could and hopefully run out without getting caught in the rope.If you missed getting out after the first round of the song it was made more difficult because the rope was turned quicker or "peppers" as it was known. As a girl went out successfully another would run in.If you tripped over the rope running out you had to turn up. It was a game of great skill! If you havent fallen a sleep here is another threat:
"Yer'll be smilin at the other side of yer face in a minute". This was said to children who were smiling cheekily after being told off.
Here are a few more sayings some of which I havent heard for ages:
ReplyDeleteYer mek a better door than a winder: Said if someone is obliterating your view.
Finders keepers,tekkers back stealers. This is a childrens phrase. "Yerve pinched me pencil"!
"no I 'avent,it was on floor.Finders keepers,tekkers back stealers!".
Thats put the kibosh(?) on it: Thats put an end to it. "I was goin out tnight,burav just bin called to work,so thats put the kibosh on that".
Hiya Wirelector. Going back to our earlier comments about "livin' over brush". One of my friends is getting married this weekend in a pagan ceromony. I was surprised to learn that part of the ceremony included them jumping over a broomstick together which,if done without either of them touching the stick means they will have a happy marriage.She said sometimes couples do it as they enter their house after the ceromony. I will ask her if the broom represents anything in particular, or does anyone else know?. Its certainly a saying thats been round for years. My mam told me it started in the southern states of North america at slave weddings.
ReplyDeleteHere are some sayings that Ive heard recently but I also heard them as a child.
ReplyDeleteStraighten yer face: This is said if you are sulking or looking miserable.As a child I didnt like getting "dressed up",so I was told "Yer'll only have it on till we come back from Aunt Nellies so straighten yer face".
Ducks foot: A mess. "All iceins' running on that cake,av made a right ducks foot of it".
Tek off:Imitate.Ther was always somebody in a class who could "tek off" teachers with peculiarities,in ours it was me.
Jumped up:Pompous/Arrogant."Since hes bin goin wi that girl from over bridge hes bin a right jumped up beggar".
Hiya everyone. A few sayings with a Summer theme...
ReplyDeleteGoin on Charrer: Traveling by coach.
Breakin up: Finishing school for the hols(usually one of the longer ones)Still here that one today.
Teachers rest,Mothers pest.
"Tek a bottle o corporation pop wi yer" We went out for hours with tap water in a bottle.
This is a rhyme we used to sing on the last day at school.Sung to the tune of "one man went to mo"...
One more day ter go,
One more day of sorrow,
One more day in this old dump,
and we'll be free tomorrow.
Can anyone think of any more?
Here are some more sayings..
ReplyDeleteTo tip up/Tipping up: This saying usually involved money changing hands. "Dont ferget yerve not tipped up any o' yer wages this week yet" This "tipped up" money would be part of your wages given to your parents(usually Mam)for your "keep"(food and board)
There an' back see 'ow far it is: This was said when you didnt want the other person to know where you were going."Where yer goin' Dad?
"There an' back see 'ow far it is"
"Right up your street" Said when you thought the person you were with would like something. "Does this look alright?
"Oh ye,its right up your street"
Like bein' in obleys. If a room was untidy that was one comment made. Ive forgotten what obleys was. Ill try and find out.
Hi Gaynor.
DeleteGreat stuff!We never called it "tipping up" in our house, but I certainly had to pay "for me keep" or "pay board".
I remember hearing "there an' back", too.
If I suggested doing something that my Dad didn't want to do or thought was a bad idea, he used to say, "Go an' tek a long walk on a short pier".
Finally, I haven't heard "obleys" in "donkey's years". My Mum used to say it (and probably still does) when my bedroom was a mess, "tidy up, yer messy bugger, it's like bloody obleys in 'ere!"
Hiya wirelector. all of the above were heard on a regular basis either at home(so many of us!) or at school. Another saying was "Go an' tek a runnin' jump" I remember hearing this more than the pier one.
DeleteAnother saying you might have heard:"You know what thought did"..."A thought a could 'ave extra pcket mony this week Mam"
"Yer know what thought did"
This was often shortened from "Yer know what thought did.went be'ind a muck cart an thought it was a weddin" Work that one out!
Hi Gaynor
DeleteWith regard to your enquiry about 'Obleys'. Hobley's was a mens lodging building which stood approximately on the site of what is now James Lee House, (Salvation Army Hostel) on School Brow. I can vaquely remember it, especially for its aroma but this could have been influenced by the close proximity of Flemings Tannery which stood on the opposite side of the road.
My wife remembers it from her childhood when she was about 8 or 9 years old. Her mother would very occasionally send her to Hobley's to buy a packet tea or a bag of sugar. She was very apprehensive about going as the room where the items could be bought was probably a dining room with tables and forms, usually occupied by lots of men who would have benefited from a good wash and a change of clothing. The room always had a pall of tobacco smoke. The tea and sugar was served through a window set in one of the walls of the room,probably being a means of providing the basic needs of the residents. You can probably now understand why to be compared to Hobley's was not a very complimentary comment. Fortunately my wife was only sent when no other option was available.
Yorick
Hiya Yorick. Yes I vaguely remember my sister saying it was a building up town "with a lot of commings and goings". Next time I see her Ill ask her if she remembers anything else about it.
DeleteHeres a few more sayings:
"He's/Yer a case: This was said when someone had done something you wouldnt expect. "Do yer know are John caught the bus on 'is own to town today.He's only 6,'is dad went mad"
"Oooo he's a case in't 'e"
A good turn: Do somebody a favour.
Laugh yer 'ead off: Laugh long and loud.
Cry yer eyes out: Cry and sob for a long time.
Wow. Just found this site whilst researching 'Hobleys'. This saying came up in a recent conversation. Any "info" would be welcome. What was it's exact position? Was it a Common Lodging house? Who was Hobley? Was it a person or the name a the premises? My wife is from Whiston and I am from Warrington, many saying have the same meaning but different words.
DeleteHiya Anon. Hobleys ('obleys) was a mens lodging house.A bed could be had for the night for a small charge or (so my sister tells me) there was a rope fixed around the wall where men could lean for less.Sounds strange that does'nt it?.As far as Iknow it was in the School Brow area of Warrington,as Yorick says,near the site of James Lee House. It was probably connected to the Salvation Army charity.It was for men down on their luck. Do you know anything about it?
DeleteMy Dad told me how poor homeless men (usually) could have a 'fourpenny lean', which was presumably less than the cost of a bed for the night. I don't remember him mentioning Hobley's, though.
DeleteThinking about "the pink eye" brought this saying to mind;On the blink: Not working properly.
ReplyDeleteTo put in yer two pennorth:Say what you think/know or what you think you know. "I wouldnt know what to say at the meeting"
"Just pur in yer two pennorth".
Thats the way the mop flops: Thats how it is or thats what happens.
Three sheets t' wind: Being drunk: "Look 'ow hes walkin'.'Is three sheets t' wind".
Many, many years ago, my maternal grandparents used to say "snug as a bug in a rug" when they were looking after me and my brother and wanted us to go to bed.
ReplyDeleteSadly, none of my grandparents are alive today so I can't ask them for any sayings.
My niece, who has just turned four, loves the word "squiggle" for squirrel.
There's a folk music scene in the Warrington area, with clubs in both Warrington and Lymm....presumably, the song writers might make a point of ysung local dialect wordsa dn phrases.
ReplyDeleteHiya Yorick. I mentioned our comments about Hobleys to my elder sister. She remembers it as a mens lodgings but does'nt remember the "shop". She said our mam said there was a rope around all the walls and the men could pay an a'penny or a penny to lean on the rope for a certain period of time. A cheaper alternative to having a bed I suppose. It seems unbelievable these days doesnt it?
ReplyDeleteHeres a few sayings.
ReplyDeleteA layin' on;A smack. "You deserve a good layin' on fer doin' that"
Bald Scrawp:A mans close shaven haircut. "He couldnt 'ave tookk much more off that.He's given yer a proper bald scrawp"
A few more sayings to add:
ReplyDeleteHavin' yer on: Joking. "Mam,our John sez me 'air looks 'orrible at the back"
"'is only havin' yer on,its nice"
Could'nt stop a pig/bull in an entry: Said of someone who was bow legged/bandy.
A big ta ta: Someone who was too soft for his own good.
This saying of my Mams used to make me chuckle. If we were haveing shop bought meat and potato pies she would say: "Whistle if yer see a piece o' meat"
ReplyDelete"Yer'd forget yer 'ed if it was'nt screwed on" or "yer'd lose yer 'ed if it was loose": This was said if you were being careless with things.
"'e could'nt knock the skin off a custard":Somebody who makes threats of violence but looks thin."That lad sez 'e is goin to get me tommer at school Mam" "Ohh,tek no notice.'e couldnt knock the skin off a custard b look of 'im".
"A'l 'ave to go an' stand near Oliver": Oliver Comwells statue stands near Bridge foot in Warrington and used to be a meeting place for "working girls" and their customers. If we were short of money when we were all young sometimes that would be what Mam would say (jokeingly).
Hiya everyone. Here are some sayings that were especially used in the playground:
ReplyDelete"Tell me news not 'istory".I always used this when I had nothing else to say about a subject that was common knowledge. It was also said if you thought someone was trying to cause trouble.eg: "Your brother's got ruler fer usein' cheek t' teacher"
"Tell me news nor 'istory".
"Made yer look, yer dirty Duck!" This was a trick played on you or played by you on somebody,sometimes used on April fools day. "Yerv got poo on yer shoe" You would then look at your shoe.
"Made yer look yer dirty Duck!".
"Ar yer talkin' ter me or chewin' a brick?" You would say this to someone who was telling you something that you werent interested in.
As tight as a wet knot: This could have been a saying of my brothers,I'm not sure. It was said of someone who rarely bought anything.
Have a joyful and loving Christmas everyone and keep your dialect alive!
ReplyDeleteSome more sayings:
ReplyDeleteA slangin' match: A very loud arguement. "Them next door are in street agen havin' a proper slangin match".
Need yer 'ead feelin': This was said to somebody who had done something completely out of character,in the same way a docter might feel your forehead if you felt unwell. "Are Gay did/said that?. She needs 'er 'ead feelin,thats not like 'er".
A few more sayings to add to the list:
ReplyDeleteTo get shut of: To get rid of/throw away.
Look sharp: Get a move on/be quick. "We'd berrer look sharp, we're goin' t be late"
Let rip: To shout/argue noisily. "Mam did'nt 'alf let rip at our Reg when she saw 'is dirty coat and ripped pants".
Bigger liar than Crippin: Someone who is always telling lies.
Go up one an tek yer knittin: Said to you if you solved a problem that someone had been thinking about for ages.
I was telling my hubby about something that happened to me in Warrington market recently which brought back a saying you dont hear much these days.
ReplyDeleteWalking through the market I noticed a lady looking at one of the new stalls and, thinking it was my neighbour, I went over tapped her on the shoulder and said "What are yer thinkin' o pinchin'(joking) This lady turned round and it was'nt my friend (groan). I apologised,she was just laughing.
I did'nt know "where t put me face".
Here's another one you dont hear much today: Come a cropper:
To fall/stumble: "Look at state o yer. A told yer yer'd cum a cropper off that wall one o these days".
Come off it:Dont try to lie/get out of something:
"'Ave got them tickets fer Sunday"
"A can't go on sunday"
"Aw 'ave gorrem now yer said yer was commin'
"Cum off it,yer said it was on Satday".
We have had more than a "skittering" of snow here in Warrington and it's "slushy" underfoot. We're never prepared!
ReplyDeleteHere are a few weather related sayings:
It's raw out: Its very cold outside.
Yer not goin' out in this are yer?: "Yer not goin' out in this are you?.Its throwin' it down.(raining heavily)
Sky's leaden wi' summert: The sky looks heavy with either snow or rain.
This conversation could have taken place yesterday or a hundred years ago,so few of the words have changed.
"Oooh cum in yer look starved"
A must be gerrin nesh in me old age,am perished. That wind's cuttin. It guz through yer like a dose o salts.
"Yer need ter change yer butcher"
Translation:
"Oh come inside you look very cold"
"I must be feeling the cold more as I get older, I feel chilled" The wind is very sharp. I feel as though its gone straight through me"
"You should perhaps eat better meat to put a bit of fat on you which would keep you warm".
Who was it who said "there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes?
More sayings,I dont think they have been mentioned:
ReplyDeleteYer'l meet yerself goin' commin' back: "Stop rushin' around,yer'l meet yerself goin' commin' back".
Itchin' to do somethin': Being impatient to get something done.
I want never gets:"Aw Mam,a want that big drawin' book".
"Stop mitherin'.I want never gets".
These couple of sayings have come up recently at the pub quiz:
ReplyDeleteOooin an arrin: Being indecisive. "We're ooin an arrin now,we'vee got t put summat down fer an answer".
Slip up: Make a mistake."We've slipped up there.Wi should of put wot we said first.
Some more sayings:
ReplyDeleteKeep an eye out: Watch for: "Keep an eye out fer wnder cleaner,'ave not payed 'im yet"
Sup up: Finish your drink.
To be thick with someone: To be very friendly/always together: "They must 'ave gorrover their argument. They're thick agen"
Sling yer 'ook: Move away/get out: "Sling yer 'ook yer gerrin on me nerves".
Also:
ReplyDeleteNot much cop: Not very good: "Wot der yer think 'o this.I dont think it's much cop"
Change yer tune: Change your mind:"'a see yer wearin' that coat. Yer've changed yer tune,'a thought yer'd gone off it".
Browned off: Fed up: 'a feel proper browned off t'day.'A don't know why".
Knockin' about:Somewhere around: "'a can't find that book anywhere".
"It'll be knockin' about. A saw it earlier on on table"
Here are some more sayings:
ReplyDeleteNot 'as green as I'm cabbage lookin'.: I am not as daft as I might look.
Too slow t catch a cold: To be very slow at doing something.Infering that you can't even catch a cold which are very easy to "catch".
Yer daft 'apeth:Said to someone that you think is being silly.
Yer've got more jewellery than soft Mick: This can be said of anything that you have got an extravagant amount of(shoes,hats etc.)
Hello everyone,
ReplyDeleteI said something the other day which I have'nt heard or said in ages (if ever)..
Buckle down to it: My son said"I dont know if I'm gonna have time t write 3 articles a day".
I replied:"Yer might if yer buckle down to it"
Gone west: Broken,ruined:"A think this coat's gone west,al throw it away".
Ont turn: Going bad. "Pooo,'ave just bought this meat an it smells like its on turn"
Hiya everyone,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we all heard these sayings growing up and have probably said them.
'ave yer let Polly out o prison"?: Have you broke wind?
"Yre've ruined that(insert anything here)I 'ope yer proud o yerself" Did anybody "get" sarcasm as a child?
"Ave yer seen back o yer neck?.It's filthy".
"If yer break yer leg on that,dont cum runnin' t me"
"D yer know who yer talkin t?"
Does anyone remember any more?
"If it suits the wearer beggar the starer".Heard it said the other day.So some of our dialect is still "knocking about" :-).
ReplyDeleteHere are a few more sayings:
ReplyDeleteTo be "On blob": When I looked this up a very different meaning appeared but in this case it is used to mean at your/their/its very best. "This guiness is on blob tonight".
To "Tek a different tack": To look at something in a different way.
She/He/thay want baggin'. I heard this saying a lot when I was growing up(dont hear it now) and it always sounded sinister to me. It was used when somebody had done something seriously wrong,for example: "They've gome shops an' left them kiddies on there own. Thee want baggin'".
We were at a wedding inCumberland a few weeks ago where guests had come over from all parts of the world.A great time was had by all :-). I noticed during conversation that,when asked what they were up to or how their families were a lot of younger people began their answer with,"So...yes we are all very well". I wonder if it's another version of "Erm..
Here are some sayings I only hears membere of the family say:
ReplyDeleteMam: "I wish ad bin born wi' plenty o' money instead o' good looks"
When my niece was small her Gran had a couple of spells of bad health. When she asked my sister what was up with Nanna she would reply"She's gorra bone in her leg/arm".
My Uncle had a wooden leg from his knee down.If he could'nt remember something or you asked him a question he would point to his leg and say "Knock on that it might waken brain up".
I think we are all a bit dotty!
Hello. Is there anybody there? Knock twice for yes,once for no :-)
ReplyDeleteHere are a few more sayings:
Not size 'o two pennorth 'o copper: Said of somebody who is small and lighweight.
Nineteen nought plonk: "What year was grandad born Mam?2
"About nineteen nought plonk". Meaning she was'nt sure or it was a long time ago.
Nineteen hundred and frozen to death: Similat to above.
"When's funeral/wedding Alf": Said to somebody,usually a man, if they were uncharacteristicly dressed up. For example if he arrived to meet his mates in a pub wearing a suit and tie, or had trousers on instead of jeans.
Hi Gaynor.
ReplyDeleteHave just been catching up with your latest contributions to the blog. Fascinating how many you still manage to post. You must think your flogging a dead horse at times when there is so little response from your fellow Warringtonians.I think you could have written the definitive reference of our local dialect without any help from the rest of the population of this miserable town.
Anyway,keep up the good work, its a pleasure to read so many phrases I was so familiar with as a youngster.
Yorick
Hiya everyone,
ReplyDeleteThanks Yorick. I think some people might think of adding something to the blog and then think it's irrelevant,thats a shame.
Something came to mind the other day when I saw a lady riding an old fashioned bike down the street. I remember when I rode when I was younger "cocking off and cocking on".
This was done in one move with one foot on the near peddle,pushing the bike and then putting your other foot on the other peddle while the bike was moving.That was "cocking on".The reverse was done to "cock off" and stop the bike.
The dialect word page as come to a standstillso I hope nobody mins if I post a few on here.
Riftin': Burping. "'Am nor eatin' any pickle thee make me rift".
Club: A lot of women in the 50/60's ran "clubs". They had a catalogue (usually Kays) of goods which people could look at and place orders from. They then paid a £1 or so a week to pay off what they owed for the chosen item. The "runner" of the club received acommision of any orders placed. Some people still do it especially with Christmas catalogues.
Cocking on and cocking off was something only done by men or boys. Or by girls wearing trousers and riding a boy's bike. It refers to cocking one leg over the saddle (as a dog cocks its leg next to a lamppost). Girls didn't need to do this as a girl's bike had no cross-bar, so you could put the leg that wasn't on the pedal between the handlebars and the saddle.
DeleteHi Gaynor, At it again aren't you. Stirring those old memories. I am not sure you have got the 'cocking' on and off quite right. We always said 'cogging' the word being related to the cogs on the chain wheel of the bike, we could do with somebody else commenting on this one just to see how many variations there actually were.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to 'clubs', My mother ran a Brian Mills catalogue for years, just for members of the family and a few neighbours. You never hear of that one these days.
Yorick
Hiya Yorick,
DeleteIt's good to have good old memories stirred once in a while.Brings a smile to the face.
Talking about cockin' on and off brought another word to mind:"cocka". It was used as a term of endearment to an adult or a child."You alright me old cocka or just "cocka".
I used to see my brothers fixed cogging Bryan but never tried it myself.Would have been very difficult.I used to ride my sisters bike as a child,she was 10 years older than me so you can imagine the size of the bike.
The only clangers I know of are the ones I drop now and again :-).
HELLO all
ReplyDeleteCoggin on!
The act of standing with your left foot on the peddle and pushing off with the right foot, then once in motion swinging your right foot/leg over the bike, a marvellous act of balance when you think about it. Alas! I agree with poor Yorick.....(I don't know him well)
Sorry Gaynor.
Fixed Cog, A bit dangerous but you could go up and down on the peddles while the bike was moving.
Do they still have Sturmey Archer gears on bikes? Does anybody remember what a "Double Clanger" was? What about giving someone a crommy and some bikes had cow horns. Did anybody fold up a fag packet and put it between the brake blocks so it made a clicking noise when the bike was moving? I'm searching my memory banks now and nothing is coming on the screen, so I'll finish.
Bryan
Hello everyone,
ReplyDeleteIts a long time since I....cocked on or off a bike.
Can't believe I have been posting on wirelect for nearly two years. Time flies!
ReplyDeleteHello Gaynor,
ReplyDeleteTime flies.....tempus fugit
That's what happens when you throw the alarm clock through the window.
Time flies: Blue bottles in a time machine.
You've bin postin on wirelect for ni-on two years. That makes you an old and! Yell be gerrin yer wirelecterwatch if yer keeps on at this rate.
And now for something completely different.
Double Clanger:A gadget that lifts the chain onto another cog at the peddle crank.
Crommy:Rides on the crossbar.
Note: you can watch the clangers on youtube
Alas, poor Bryan! you misqoute Mr Shakespeare as many have done in the past, and no doubt will continue to do so.
ReplyDeleteAlas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it. .........
(Hamlet, V.i)
Yorick
Forsooth dear Yorick, thou hast corrected me well!
DeleteIt is a well known misquotation indeed especially when one has a spare skull to hand
A pestilence on him for a mad rogue! A poured a flagon of Rhenish on my head once. This same skull, sir, was sir, Yorick's skull, the kings jester.
Hamlet V 1.
Heres a Warrington take on Hamlet at the grave;
ReplyDeleteWharra shame poor yorick! Ad known 'im fer ages Horatio;he was dead funny,an cud orlluz think o summat t cheer yer up.'e give me donkey rides when a was young;but now,thinkin' about it meks mi feel sick.
A variation on Hamlet in Lancy
DeleteEyup tayter oooz iz this ewld skull. By the luk ov them teef it lucks a bit like my ewld mucker Yorick. Eee were a bit ov a comedian in'th ewld days, Can't say a, thewt much ov iz jokes tho.
Anywayz up, ow cum thez only iz ed left, wirts rest of im?
Hey up! I am always a bit nervous when I face a computer screen but my spelling never gets that bad.(Mr.Gregory I presume?)
ReplyDeleteHere are a few more sayings:
Look summat like: Tidy yourself /something . "we're goin' up town, clean them dirty shoes an' look summat like".
"Yer would'nt d tharif yer father was beind yer2: "Stop jumpin' on that chair.Yer would'nt d tharif yer father was beind yer".
It does'nt go: It does'nt look right. "a would'nt wear that scalf wi that coat.It does'nt go".
Dr Livingstone I presume.
DeleteHey up Gaynor, we nowz that yer a cleverglogs, else yer wouldn't be on that quiz team.
Who said Dr Livingstone I presume? for a packet ov bickies.
Urry up coz Yorick might puriz all in.
It was Livingstone and Stanley exploring Africa so it must have been Stanley asking the question.I dont know about being clever Bryan.I was told at the tender age of 9 by a teacher in our 50's education system that "You have neither brains nor beauty Clarke G so it's as well you are intelligent and sensible".
DeleteReading your comment below Bryan all I can say is that i just continue commenting when i have something to say.I'm sure people must get fed up of seeing my name.I think it would be better for all if more people commented,but what can you do when your clogs let water in?.See what I mean I can't help myself.
Here are a few more words;
Wollars: People not usually seen around your area: "Ay up 'eres them widnes Wollars commin' over bridge".
Brain Box: Somebody who you thik is clever; "Our John's a proper brain box.He's passed 'is second exam.a dont know where 'e gets it from".
Pell Mell: Going fast/usually out of control:
"Gu t shop on yer bike fer me but dont go pell mell down that brew".
Hello Gaynor.
DeletePell Mell I looked it up, and it means to go fast in a frantic manner.
Pall Mall, A street in London named after a game played there in 17 nort plonk
A Brew: A hill or a cup of tea mainly when made in a brew can in which tea and sugar were mixed together and milk or conny- onny were added later............eee them were the days.
Warrabout "Bonk" it has rude connotations these days but years ago it meant a piece of raised waste ground. I worked for Macs Taxis when I first got wed to make a few extra Bob. The cars were kept at the back of the office on what everyone called the "Bonk" which was a bit of raised waste ground.
Did yer ever tek sum bokkles back t, get the 3d off em.
Wollars is your way of spelling wallahs (also spelled wallas), which comes from a Hindi word. It probably came into the English language when India was part of the Empire.
DeleteHello all,
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, this blog will soon run out as did the other one and we have not heard from wirelector for quite some time. Because of this I will not be making anymore comments when it runs out, which is a pity. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Hello Bryan.
DeleteJust to reassure you, I don't see any reason why the Wirelect blog would run out, and even though I haven't been active on here for a while, I read everything. In fact, nothing gets on here without it passing by me. The main reason is because this blog gets quite a lot of spam from all sorts of places, and I don't want the discussion to get clogged up with crap from people just looking for attention.
I really appreciate your committment to this blog and the Warrington dialect, and I hope you continue to comment on your observations.
It seems you and Gaynor have found a sparring partner in Bert :-)
Hiya everyone,
ReplyDeleteDissapointing for the "wire" loseing the super league final against the pie eaters. We were discussing the in's and out's of the game when my brother said a word in a way that took me back years. After a bad tackle on one of the Warrington players my brother said "He was already tackled and that player went rayt (right) into 'is leg". Rayt sounds like straight.
Some more sayings:
Straighten yer face.Yer'l turn milk sour".
Same t you wi knobs on.This was a reply if someone had said something detremental to you and was said to show you meant the same but with double the insult.
Hi Gaynor
ReplyDeleteWhat my wife said after that tackle cannot be printed here. I think the majority of the words belong to her own dialect, which expanded as the game went on.
Yorick
Hiya Yorick, I think something primitive must take over when we watch the Wire.I sound like Rod Stewart after the games :-).
DeleteHi Gaynor. That's a very good description of her indoors when watching games on TV, to much detail, which you cannot always see at the stadium.
ReplyDeleteAt least I've got a break now until the start of next season.
Yorick
Hiya Yorick, My Mam would have called it "Lerrin' rip". Shouting at or argueing with someone.
DeleteWe have all the world cup games to look forward to yet.Can't wait!
Hello everyone,
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know who Big Off is(or was)?.
My brothers' were all tall lads(except one).When our Mam had had an argument with one of them or told them off he would usually walk away. When he returned Mam would say "Ay up 'eres Big Off*.
I vaguely remember a ghost being mentioned.
Sorry Gaynor never heard of that one
DeleteYorick
Hello Yorick
DeleteI've never heard of that either, wear duz she gerum from?,
When I used to hear the saying Big Off as I said I vaguely remember a ghost being mentioned. I mentioned it in the geneology room in the library and was shown a couple of Wally Barnes books.He has written a lot of books on ghosts and folklore of Warrington.One of the books mentioned Big Hoff!.He was said to be the knife sharpener of Froghall Bridge :-).This was only a preview,the full story was in another book which was amongst others which have been stolen from the library.So whether it was a ghost of someone who had been known to exist and had been seen in recent years or if it is just a tale I dont know but that is obviously where it has been passed down from.
DeleteMy Dad used to say "Is it carrots" when he was denying something somebody else had just said. It was, I suppose, a more polite way of saying "Is it hell" or "Is it eckers-like" (which I've only heard on Coronation Street).
ReplyDeleteAlso, at the end of a conversation: "I'll love you and leave you."
And his expression of gratitude: "Thanks a million, ta!"
I can't understand Gaynor's spelling of "Owt" and "Nowt" as "Ewt" or "Newt", [which I would pronounce as yute and newt (the amphibian] although I recognise that owt and nowt do not represent the sound either. I don't think the sound exists in standard English. It starts as a short 'e' sound and then goes to an 'oo' sound. "Owt or nowt" means "anything or nothing", though "nowt" can also mean a naughty (nowty) child.
Heyup Bert!
ReplyDeleteIts nice to have you on board.
Owt and nowt belong over the border in Yorkshire over here in Lancashire and don't forget Warrington is in Lancashire (Clog land) and not in Cheshire (Spud land) we use the word ewt meaning anything, it is spelt as it sounds. Newt, meaning nothing or with reference to a naughty boy ie, Eez, a likkle newt, is also spelt as it sounds It is true newt is also an amphibian like spelt can also mean a type of flour. I don't any other way of spelling those words Ewt & Newt. Don't forget we are dealing with Warrington's dialect.
Hello Bert?????
ReplyDeleteI seem to have missed a word out in my last sentence "Know". Eee, am a daft aypeth, al aft t,be pullin me socks up.
Don't forget folks, the 27th November is Lancashire day and God willing the town crier will be in Warrington town centre to make the loyal proclamation.
Hello, Bryan?????
ReplyDeleteGlad to be aboard. It is difficult to discuss pronunciation in writing. Unless you can use those funny phonetic spoken language symbols (which I can't), you have to use the normal alphabet and how you write a word trying to represent a dialect pronunciation all depends on how you (the writer) say the word, and the interpretation by the reader depends on how he pronounces the word. 'Owt' and 'nowt' are in the dictionary as dialect or colloquial words, and their pronunciation is given with the vowel (actually a diphthong) sound being the same as the sound in mount, frown and sour. Now, I do not pronounce 'nowt' to rhyme with clout or spout. As I said, I don't think the sound exists in standard English. It certainly sounds nothing like 'newt', for which the only pronunciation (imo) is that of the amphibian, which also sounds nothing like the way I say nowt. Again, imo, anybody seeing the word 'ewt' would pronounce it the way that Australians call their utility vehicles - ute - or, as I wrote, yute. Which is nothing like the way I say 'owt'. I think it is a matter of finding the best way to represent the sound we both (probably) say using the standard alphabet. I think that 'ewt' and 'newt' are very misleading. 'Owt' and 'nowt' are not ideal, but I think they are better than 'ewt' and 'newt'.
Have you heard anyone say "Is it carrots!"?
Hello Bert,
DeleteFirstly, do you live in Warrington?
I would imagine that most of us who live in Warrington and left school at 15 with no academic qualifications would spell newt and ewt as I have written . I made the comparison between spelt flour and spelling spelt, there no doubt many more such like double meanings, the technical term I do not know, maybe you do? Once more I would remind you that we are dealing with Warrington's dialect.It would be interesting to conduct a survey as to how folk spell those words. Now tek nowt (Note)ov warram tellin yer!
I have said this before, but it is very interesting to listen to how Warrington folk speak, I began making notes in my dairy when I first came on Wirelect.
I wonder what Gaynot has to say about this?
I have not heard of "is it carrots" but I have heard of "Its tayters" meaning its cold.
Hello Bert.
DeleteNow here's a turn up.
The coal man has just been, he's from Wigan (Pie-ater) I asked him about Ewt and newt. The meanings are the same as Warrington but he said he would spell them owt & nowt. Shall we just call it regional variation or shall I concede to Bert's greater intellectual ability....................Eeee! clever clogs.
It is difficult to write in dialect and I would suspect that it is one of the things that puts people off contributing to the blog.It should'nt.
DeleteIt didnt occur to me when I wrote "ewt" that some people would read as in newt,but those not familiar with the Warrington dialect perhaps would do.In my opinion though I would prefer to write is as "ewt" and say the e is pronounced as in let than show it as "owt" which is Yorkshire dialect.
I havent heard anyone say "Is it carrots!" but my hubby remembers it.
Just going back to "Cockin' on/off". Girls used to call it cockin' on/off .We didnt swing our leg over the seat but lifting our leg over the bottom of the frame while the bike was moveing was enough for it to be called "cocking on"
Did you ever call it "cogging on" Bert?.
I'm not sure how this site works. It seems that if I click on 'Reply' after a post, my reply goes immediately after the post I want to comment on. On some blogs it goes right at the end. I have been looking at the end of the thread, and missed some replies to my earlier posts. Like this one.
DeleteI'm so glad that your hubby remembers "Is it carrots", Gaynor! I'd only ever heard my Dad say it. He lived at Monks Street as a child. As a family, we lived at Scott Street. I wonder if some dialect expressions are confined to small parts of Warrington.
I never heard getting onto a bike called "cogging on". I never heard girls talking about getting onto a bike, so I can't refute what you say, but it always seemed to me that only boys cocked on and off, since the action involved cocking one leg, in the manner that male dogs cock a leg at a tree or a lamppost. No doubt girls heard boys talking about cocking on and cocking off and didn't understand the derivation, so thought that what they were doing could be called cocking on and off too.
Hiya Bert,
DeleteI asked hubby about the "carrots".Not much help i'm afraid.He only vaguely remembers it and seeing as he has lived and worked in a number of places it could have come from anywhere.
When we were talking about cogging/cocking originally I asked a few people if they remembered it.you dont hear it these days do you? My brother said "coggin",a friend said "cockin"(woman)another said "cockin"(a man from Liverpool) .I remember "cock yer leg up/over being used a lot when I was a child,not always with a bike involved.I have never connected a human doing that with the dogs action.Maybe it was naughty schoolboys:-).
The sound that we are both trying to reproduce with the standard 26 letters of the alphabet starts with a short e- sound, usually represented by ĕ. This then glides effortlessly into an oo sound, as in shoe, not as in foot. I can see why you have ewt and newt with the letter 'e' in them, but only the Welsh pronounce w as 'oo' (as in cwm). I concede that there is a whiff, a hint, a suspicion, of the 'w' sound at the end of the oo sound (hear it in the way Frankie Howerd used to say "Oo-er, missus"). I say again, show 100 people the word 'newt' and ask them to pronounce it, and at least 99 will pronounce it the same as the amphibian [njūt]. If they are from America they might pronounce it as 'noot' [nūt]. I agree that owt and nowt are not ideal, but I think they are better than ewt and newt. Isn't it marvelous that we use a sound that is incapable of reproduction in standard English?
ReplyDeleteDid the Wigan man pronounce the words as we pronounce them, or as Yorkshire folk pronounce them?
I haven't lived in Warrington since 1972. But I get back when I can.
Hello again Bert
DeleteYon mon from Wigan pronounced ewt and newt more like
nowt & owt. although there was not much between the Warrington version and the Wigan version but certainly not as the Yorky's pronounce it with the stress on the "OW"
Warrington phrase: Sheez tuk al me muny, an left me wi, newt, if ad a known a wunter giver ewt", the cheeky munkey.
1972 is along while ago, where,v yer bin livin til now Bert, somewhere nice or arnt yer goin t,telus ewt?
Hiya the two B's
DeleteIt is interesting Bert that this sound can't be reproduced,the sign of true dialect I suppose.Maybe it's origins arent English. We have discussed this before on the Word of the week page,the spelling then was neiwty (angry).
I think just for a change I might come on the blog with a different name some time. Are you a bit of a rebel Bert :-)?
Why did you ask if I might be a bit of a rebel, Gaynor?
DeleteThere was something I was thinking of at the time,but as it does'nt seem to be the case I think I have finished up with" egg on my face".
DeleteI live in Peterborough. I usually have to tell people it's near Cambridge, as nobody has ever heard of it. It's about 50 miles from anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI am probably the most conventional, unrebellious person you are ever likely to meet. But why do you ask? If you are suggesting that I might be Bryan using another name, then you are wrong.
I am not a linguist, but I am interested in language. I think that 'nowty' [pronounced with that sound we have discussed which is impossible to render with the usual 26 letters] is a local pronunciation of 'naughty'. Referring to a naughty child as 'a little nowt' [same vowel sound as above] is a similar usage. It does not mean that the child is nothing, but that the child is (sometimes) naughty. The word 'naughty' derives from 'naught' (nothing), of course.
I am amazed, flabbergasted, gobsmacked, that the chap from Wigan could look at the word 'newt' and pronounce it as 'nowt'. I would ask Bryan to widen his survey. I need another 99 people to pronounce it as the amphibian to confirm my possibly rash assertion.
Hello Bert,
DeleteI am not in a position to widen my survey at the moment but my life experience tells me that there is a great variation of pronunciation in south and mid Lancashire which is totally distinct from those folk on the south side of the Mersey in spud land. You should not be amazed that the Wiganite pronounced newt the way he did. If you listen carefully to Warringtonians, and I mean the born and bread ones, you would have to concede the eh, sound in newt and not the o, sound. Newt, a four legged amphibian swimming round in my pond. New-t. Warrington dialect, nothing= newt. I do not know any other way of spelling that dialect word unless you spell it nehwt, e as in egg. verstehen sie!
What does verstehen sie mean? that's not Warrington dialect is it?
DeleteSounds a bit German to me.
Hiya everyone.
ReplyDeleteNo I wasnt suggesting you might be bryan Bert. History tells me why you thought I might be (see Ronyag). No,I was just throwing in a less serious note on the blog.
Glad you agree with us about the origins of th "n" words.Its interesting that on the word page people spelt it in three different ways.
(newt,nowt and neiwt).
A few idioms:
To "crown" someone: To slap/hit them on the head.
To give someone a "wanger: To swing your arm out and slap someone.
All there with his/her cough drops: Somebody who you think is clever.
Here are a few superstitions i heard as a child(not so much today). a trick or treat is knocking as I type:-)
A dropped knife meant there was going to be a visitor.
A crossed knife and fork on a plate meant bad luck in the house.
If you put your jumper/socks on inside out accidently it meant you were going to be lucky on that day. If you took if off and put it right you would have bad luck.
A hat kept on in the house meant bad luck would come to somebody in the house.
Anybody think of any more?
My Dad said shoes should never be put on a table, as that would bring bad luck - that's shoes to be cleaned or something else, not shoes that you might be wearing, though he wouldn't approve of putting your feet on the table, shod or unshod. He was also superstitious about crossed knives being unlucky - probably something to do with the Crucifixion - but I think a crossed knife and fork was OK.
ReplyDelete"Born and bread", Bryan? Sliced or unsliced?
I did concede the eh sound in ewt and newt at the beginning of my 8:57 post of Wednesday. But, given that owt and nowt are in the dictionary, whereas ewt and newt are not [in the senses that we are talking about], and given that pronunciation varies widely over the country, I would suggest that we should spell the words as they are in the dictionary, but pronounce them as true Warringtonians do. I will admit that there are several words that can be pronounced in two very different ways in standard English - tear, excuse, minute, etc - but I cannot see the word 'newt' and pronounce it any other way than the amphibian.
Have you ever heard the word 'abligocious' used?
Hello Bert,
DeleteThank you for your correction, we all get a bit dyslexic some times, no doubt Hilda Baker would say dyspepsia instead of dyslexia. Anyway use your loaf and be well bred! I continued with my survey today, a Liverpudlian said it was nowt with an o. Anyway Bert, I think we will leave at that now, I've got newt else t,say on this vexed matter. And no doubt Gaynor will agree, I don't know what Lizzy Dripping thinks?
I have not heard of that word "abligocious" what about "obstrocolus" ?
Being a Christian I do not go along with that superstitious stuff, although my Mum was full of it when I was a child. Throwing salt over left shoulder if she spilt some of the caustic grains, sweeping the hearth on new years eve and all the rest of it.
Can you think of some lost words? ie words no longer in use like Lass, Wench, a girl got upset once because I called her a serving wench.(Bar maid) What's happened to gerup yonder? and peas above sticks, eez a right Mary Ann and so on like pomposity.
Did you believe the superstitions when you were a child Bryan?. I didnt know what to make of them.
DeleteWas.nt you just connecting the bread with the dripping:-)?
I think we should agree to disagree about ewt and newt.
Never heard of the word abligocious Bert.Sounds like something Stephen fry would say.What does it mean do you know?
I agree to let the discussion rest. After all, it was all about summat and nowt, wasn't it? But the survey should not be asking people how they pronounce 'nowt'. I was suggesting you show people the written word 'newt' and ask them to pronounce it, with no clues as to what the survey is about. 'Ablicocious' was a word my Dad used whenever he wanted to sound educated and couldn't think of a 'posh' word for what he wanted to say. I wondered if it was a word he'd made up (doubtful), or perhaps he heard it in the army, or when he was a child. Obstrocolus must be a similar word. I've never heard of 'peas above sticks'. What does it mean? Is dyspepsia what the people at Coca-Cola's HQ do all the time?
ReplyDeleteHello Bert,
ReplyDeleteObstrocolus= awkward, ockerd in Warrington dialect
Peas above sticks= Someone with ideas above their station.
Pomposity= pompous person
Bakerism= I wuz gowin historical. meaning HYSTERICAL
Compound words.
Gerrofit, giveoverwilyer, amnoravinit, yourrnoravinit, purrum, purrit, eezgorrit,
sheezgorit, warraparlarva, warrizit, oozizit, givitere, pakitin, gereer yournotcummin, juschuckit,
Do you know any more Gaynor?
So 'obstrocolus' had a definite meaning, then? 'Abligocious' [ablicocious was a typo] meant whatever my Dad wanted it to mean, and whatever the listener thought it might mean.
ReplyDeleteI remember Hylda Baker on TV with 'Cynthia' - she knows, you know. Malapropisms were her stock in trade.
Worelsdjawonnano?
Hey-up Bert.
DeleteAwananoalot,
Ah, thinks your a clever clogs, Malapropisms.....wow!
I left school at 15 with no qualifications (1962), my friend who went to the girls high school (jolly hockey sticks) said that I was factory fodder, not quite! I finished up shovelling coal on puff- puffs at one stage.
More compound words.
Chuckitupere. yelaftgerranewun, avadituptoere, summatsup,
cannacumin,...........no! shurrup,.......oorright.
When my niece and me were youngsters I would always call her a "crump" when we wre arguing or she had done something I didnt like.I must have thought it sounded just right for the occasion. Another word I always use
Deletewhen talking to my son is orry righty? instead of allright?
Has anyone else ever heard the word butty (sandwich) being shortened to "butt". We did it all the time in our house,but never heard it elsewhere:"Al 'ave a cheese butt please Mam".
I think Les Dawson was the best with words when he used to do the monologues.He would talk about everyday situations whilst comming out with all the long words not usually used."The pattern on the pinny enveloping her ample bussom resembled a cornucopia of sweet smelling
violets lovingly embraced by luscious foliage". Clever and funny at the same time.
Some people would swap an O-level to be allowed to shovel coal on a steam engine, never mind gerrin paid to do it.
ReplyDeleteHello Bert,
Delete£10.00 per week for shovelling coal, by the ton. I suppose it has a sort of glamour about it today for the enthusiasts but in the later days of steam it could be hard work, especially if you had a driver who did not think much of you or was a heavy on the regulator (throttle) .
There's a lota water gon undert bridge since them mucky days.
Hello Bert.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your interest in the blog. It's great to have another active contributor, and you have made some really interesting points (and you keep Bryan and Gaynor on their toes).
I take your point about the "Nowt" "Neiwt" distinction. As you pointed out in an earlier comment, it is virtually impossible to render the pronunciation accurate without using the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), and it is dificult to get the characters to display well on the blog. I had considered moving the blog to another service, but that might be more trouble than it's worth. So for the time being, Wirelect stays where it is.
I really appreciate your contribution to the blog and to the body of data that we are amassing here. It is truly priceless. The phrases and pronunciations you have all commented on are either disappearing or have already gone from the speech of many young Warringtonians. My 20-something nephews speak quite differently than me, and I differently than my parents - and so it goes.
Please continue the conversation, and I will try to be more active on here than I have been lately.
We also have to get Yorick on here more often. He's always good for an opinion or two :-)
Wirelector
Hello Wirelector,
DeleteI am very pleased to hear you I for one was getting a little concerned that we had not heard from you after "Pop the Cork"
I might disagree with you over the youth not speaking as we do (Old Warringtonians ) I believe that you may find that the dialect which we have discussed on this and the other blog will be preserved in years to come although a little watered down, if that is the correct way of putting it. Some words will without doubt disappear because of changing social conditions. I have said in previous comments that I spent time listening to conversations and statements. One I made on "Your dialect words" concerned a young mother in Sainsburys who said to her children "Purrum bak, yer noravin em" I am 66 and that young Mum was in her twenties. I would say that dialect increases with age. I think I am quite capable of speaking nicely and indeed I have to because I do two days in a local school helping children with difficulties, but dialect remains.
I can hear dialect in the teachers with their Degrees. dropping H's .
Could I propose a Wirelect merit star Wirelect's star blogger,
One guess, oooit iz .
Hello All,
DeleteWhilst in Grappenhall to day which is on the Cheshire side of the Mersey, and a little more select than (in the eyes of some) than some of the northern parts of Warrington, I listened to the comments of the folk in the bus stop, age range 40-70 (Guess) Month pronounced munth, Have pronounced av, and do you shortened to d,y.
A neighbour said this afternoon, or thisaffers as it is shortened to, said oow, its tipplin down agen.
Hiya everyone,
DeleteIn language there is nothing nicer or more interesting (in my opinion) to listen to than most dialects. Speking nicely has nothing to do with just speaking standard English although thats what the hoy poloy would have you think.
I think language is changing all the time. My son who is 30 has a bit of a basic Warrington accent but he doesnt use phrases we have mentioned like a lot of older Warringtonians do. I have never said "this affer" or "wow" Bryan so you are "down" with the youngsters more than I am:-). I think even the phrase 2this affer" would be starting to seem old fashioned amongst some of the younger generation now. I think I have mentioned on the blog a conversation I overheard on a bus between 2 teenage girls.Part of it was "And I was like,oh my god,he's gettin' on the bus an' he said ... I would'nt have spoken like that when I was 15 and no one else did.
When my son was about ten he and his friends,especially the girls for some reason, used to alter words slightly which to me and his dad sounded really strange: straight became "strayat". T would be a glottal stop.
Right became "righat" Pint became "piant" No became "noa". Young people still say these words and they still sound very strange to me.
Have a look at the history of english link,some really good audios on it as well as explaing language.
Interesting that Bryan views this a classroom:-)
Good evening miss Gaynor,
DeleteI am no at all sure that I know what you mean by "Classroom"
I view it as a "Blog" The class room is in the market! or in Asda.
Now then, I want you all to go out into such places with your note books and record all that you hear by way of dialect, especially the conversation of teenagers, and we will compare notes at the end of term.
How refreshing to hear my towns folk on Friday using words like "Av, Gorrit"
I will of course concede that you hear words like noa, Noah, builder of the Ark.
When I was in my teenage years I heard all sorts of conversations on the bus in all sorts of forms and types.
Do you remember a song called "In with the in crowd" one of the lines said "we have our own way of talking" Young people do! I did! We would get on the bus and make conversations up, like one I remember about gas televisions.
But I know what you mean, but still contend that generally the clipped conversations of younger folk generally mellow in later years into the dialect wot we av!
There's the bell ! playtime, don't forget your note books.
Hi everybody
DeleteI know you all thought youd put this one to bed, but many years ago I was secretary of Nowton le Willows Motor Club.
Yorick
Hello Yorick.
DeleteHey-up why arnt you secretary any more? iz it coz your car haz concked or did they chuck you out coz you wuz a bit newty.
Hiya everyone,
DeleteWhen I mention the classroom bryan it was a light hearted reference to your point about merit awards.Dont know of any blog that does that.
I agree young people do have their own ways with words(own way of talkin',own way of walkin') and this is part of the reason (I think) why dialect/language changes over time.One of these words when I was a teenager was "fab"(short for fabulous) this word is still said today even by people younger than us.I never heard my parents say great,o.k.,brilliant now they are all familiar words.
I could'nt believe my ears.My brother has begun to talk in questions.He is 66.
Have you ever heard these words Bryan: Upkek,Loosin',Mothetten,Snewin',Tip up. I heard all these words growing up but you very rarely if ever hear them now. An example of how the dialect is changing?
Hello Gaynor,
DeleteMoths don't eat clothes these days because they are mostly made of chemicals, so there's no need for mothballs to stop em getting mothetten.
Snewin is is still in use.
There's no need for teenagers to tip up today because their parents pander to them. I got £3/-15 per week in 1962 and had to tip up three quid and had 15 bob to myself.......rich!
Those words such as "fab" arrive and disappear I used words like Fab, Gear, Ace,brill when I was younger but not now. One word that has stood the test of time is "Sound" (as a pound) One word that was in vogue was "Wicked" meaning good (crazy idea!) but it seems to have died the death.
I am of the opinion that you are right that some dialect will disappear as will the art of communication. have a ride on the 4A and see what's going on with the young people. They are all tapping texts and have head phone s on, nobody talks very much . But I still say it would be interesting to go out with a note pad and ear-wig a bit.
Here's one expression that no longer in use, I dare you to say it next time your on the bus : Arrslobadob!
I think Yorick was that fed up of the conversations about the word "newt" that he did'nt want anything to do with it.Even to the point of resigning from his job and pretending it does'nt even exist in the place name where he worked.
DeleteBy the way if you look up the word "ewt" on google it is shown on urban dictionary with an explanation of the meaning.
Hi Gaynor
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got my drift. It was getting so bad I nearly resigned from the Blog not the Job.
Yorick
Hiya everyone,
ReplyDeleteI still hear the word "fab" Bryan but dont use it myself.Surpriseingly it seems to be 40 somethings that use it(women).I think the word sound has been used for a long time.My dad used to say "That should 'old,it looks sound enough".
Did your Mam ever say "Yer gerrin me mothetten ger outside". Nothing to do with clothes,thats where it originates from I would imagine.
I think the words "tipping up" graduallly dissapeared as children left home and it was'nt used by that generation. Also people began to handle cash less.
I see you spend your time watching the flower pot men,Byan:-)
Please dont resign from the blog Yorick.We need all the help we can get.More please not less :-).
Hello Yorick,
DeleteI think it would be a great loss to this blog if you chuck it in!
I have enjoyed your corrections and quotations, especially from the Bard.
"Alas Yorick let us not lament and say "I knew him well"
I'm sure Gaynor will second me in this, can't speak for Lizzy Dripping though!
Hiya everyone,
ReplyDeleteObservations around Warrington;
Barm cakes are still on the menu as Barm cakes in the Corner cafe in the market and are still called barm cakes by young and old. Although the name barm is creeping in.(Why am I laughing to myself while I'm writing this)Mad.
Stores-Cworp-Co-op-now Late shop is said as well by every one.
Gerrin (get in) is now being said as Ge'in( ' denotes glottal stop replaceing "t").
Inti' (is'nt it) is being said more by younger people as innit.
Wanti'(Was'nt it) is becomming wani'.
I lived in Earlstown for a few years Yorick.When I came back to Warrington my accent had changed even in that short time.For example I was saying "Oh I " or " I it were". I thought it was an even stronger Lancashire accent though it was just up the road. Did you notice this?
Hello Gaynor,
DeleteIts up to you t,make sure these yunguns learn our dialect an be able t,speak propoh, ee, warra t,do. So get to it!
School time.
Gerrin ......getting
Gorrit.........Got it
Gerrit.........Get it
Gowin........Going
Givin...........Giving
Gunnin.......Watch it mucker eez after yer
Vowels...A E I O U
You like that word, glottal stop, ama right chuck?
If you change it to a Spoonerism it becomes; Stottal glop!
Just thought I would inject a bit of humour ?
Your not suggesting I walk up to strangers and cheat them how to spook are you Bryan?.
DeleteI do like the sound of the words glottal stop.In fact I now use them at every oppurtunity:-).Did you know you can feel your glottal(glottis) stopping?.
Here's a few more words:
Cop it: To get into trouble. "Yer'l cop it if yer father sees yer doing that".
A tide: A water mark: Yer've norad a proper wash.Yer'v gorra tide right round yer neck".
Chuffed: Very pleased.
Tackle: Equipment for a job. "Mek sure yer'v gorrall yer tackle".
Hey-up Gaynor,My Mum would sing this song to her grandchildren.
DeleteI like scented soawp
I like scented soawp
Since scented soawp waz sent to me
Av bin az clean az clean can be
I like scented soawp az in my bath I frolic
So if you send me any soawp
Don't send carbolic!
I ope yerv not gorra tide mark round yer nek, if yer av, it means yerv only ad a cat lick.
I used to dislike having any kind of a wash Bryan because the kitchen/bathroom was so cold.I used to get in a "right lather about it" but only to myself ,children in the 50's were a bit repressed.No wonder we chunnered to ourselves:-). Like your song about the soap.
DeleteHeres some more sayings:
"Alluz 'ave yer own road": To always get want you want.
"d yer know Mam 'ave only tuk me pencil back thara lent 'im an' eez gone 'ome cryin' to 'is Mam".
"'eez used t all 'is own road that's is trouble"
Flirt: To flick something at somebody/something,with a finger or elastic (lacky) band..
Betwixt and between or Betwixt or between. "Shiz gorra 'erself in that much of a muddle shi dose'nt know if shiz betwixt or between".
I very often say "It's eez" instead of"" it's 'is". I did'nt realise this until my husband pointed it out years ago.
Hello everyone,
ReplyDeleteBeltin' rugby league game,England v New Zealand quarter final of the world cup.Has your wife recovered yet Yorick? That New Zealand player went down like a sack o' spuds to get that penalty.Had to have a camomile tea after the game :-).
A few more sayings:
"Nearly 'ad kittens". To be surprised or frightened. " 'e banged on door that 'ard an' sudden a nearly 'ad kittens".
"Could'nt knock a fly off a custard". "'is that weak at moment 'e could'nt knock a fly off a custard".
Hiya everyone,
ReplyDeleteWe have spoke on the blog about having a dialect being linked with being a bit dim,not much sense. Here's a Limerick for a change:
Though shi spoke a dialect so rare an' so rivvy,
They thought shid only be a skivvy,
But......shi went t' Oxford,come back,
4 degrees,jus like that,
1 fer bedroom,1fer lounge,2fer privvy.
A few more sayings:
ReplyDeleteLike knots in 'ankychief: This reffered to a boys/mans muscles if he was otherwise very thin.
"yer've gorra tongue in yer 'ed": You have got a tongue in your head.
"Dont ferget,if yer want t know where ewt is yer've gorra tongue in yer ed"
In other words it meant dont be afraid to ask.
"Warra yer sellin"? "a can't 'ear yer.Warra yer sellin" (What are you saying)
This one is'nt for the queasy.
"a feel as though av bin et an spewed up agen" Means:"I feel terrible".
Hello Gaynor,
DeleteWe seem to be missing some of the contributors like, Bert, Yorick, Totty, etc, What's append to em? av tey chucked it in?
I was pulled up today for saying th,internet. I used to be amused when my auntie would say Am goowin t, th,Empire.
Only they can answer that Bryan.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile here are a few more words we might all remember:
Scollops: Potatoes cut a bit thicker than crisps and fried.
Connyonny: Condensed Milk. Some people would dip sugared bread in it.We sometimes had it on tinned fruit,which I never had because I disliked both.
Funny ossity: Someone who is awkward or fussy: "Are Gay's a funny ossity,she'll never eat tinned fruit an' connyonny".
I'm still around. But I've been on holiday. I could say I've been poorly, but that wooden be true. It seems t' me with all this spellin' like people speak - gerrin (getting), ferget (or f'get), gerrin (get in) etc - you are confusing dialect with colloquial pronunciation. Wanna for want to and gunna for going to are practically universal in England and probably other parts of the UK. You only have to listen to Coronation Street and Eastenders for a couple of minutes (it's worth the effort) to hear people who seem to have lost the abili'y to pronounce the le'er T unless it's at the beginning of a word. Snot dialek, it's juss laziness.
ReplyDeleteHi Bert. I'm afraid I have to disagree with your assertion that not pronouncing "T" is just laziness. It is, in fact, not laziness rather efficiency. Human speech is an incredibly efficient way of communicating. Just think if you had to communicate everything you thought and wanted to express by writing it down first; this would take far too long and would not be a good form of communication. Language evolved as a spoken medium. Our ancestors were speaking hundreds of thousands (possibly millions) of years before we invented writing, which is only about 4000 years old.
DeleteIt may be that the reason you feel that the lack of the "T" is annoying is precisely because you know it is there in orthography (the written form of language). If we did not have a written form, you would probably assume that the missing "T", or glottalised T, is simply a different pronunciation or accent, just as we readily accept that our friends in the south say bath, grass, glass, etc. differently than we do. The general rule is: if it is easier to say (and the person saying it makes that distinction, not the listener) then it will be said that way. It's just a question of efficiency and whatever is simplest; a sort of Occam's Razor for pronunciation.
I find saying for example letter is easier than saying le'er,but get off would become gerroff which is easier.
DeleteThinking about language wirelector and all the influences in the English language,do you think we are going through an era (apart from possibly American) where it is being least influenced by other language words?
Hi G, B & B
ReplyDeleteStill here Bryan, although have run out of dialect offerings of late. In most cases one relies on the group of people one associate with to provide examples. As my family and friends are all of a younger generation, their stock of dialect words was always going to be somewhate limited compared to mine.
I even tried Bryan's technique of listening to other peoples conversations on the bus last week, unfortunately I don't understand Polish, so that didn't work.
But don't let my absence mislead you. I still thoroughly enjoy reading your imput.
Seasons greetings to you all
Yorick
Hiya Yorick,
DeleteGlad you're still enjoying the blog.I am also running low on dialect words and sayings.I just hope I keep recalling some.I wonder if young Warringtonians use any words that they might think are peculiar to Warrington and I am still hopeing that one or two of them may contribute some.
A Merry Christmas to you and yours Yorick.
Hello everyone,
ReplyDeleteI can't contribute anything about the Warrington dialect to the blog,but I do enjoy reading it occasionally.I worked in Warrington for afew years in the 70's and found the people very friendly and welcoming.At that time I heard the words mucker,ace,brill etc all of which have been mentioned.I still keep in touch with friends in Warrington and visit for short periods.
So much more than language comes through on this blog.I see Gaynor has contributed from near the start,she makes me laugh but also gets her points across(dont be fooled by those smile signs :-)).Bryan is very straight forward and obviously proud of his roots. Yorick is logical in everything he says and puts it down so.Bert has an opinion on everything and will probably have an opinion on me saying he has an opinion.
I hope the blog progresses and Wirelector gets his book together.
Eeee, its reet gradely t,see all these comments on the blog. me and G wuz gerrin a bit fed up an, runin owtoh things t,say.
DeleteHello Bert ewld mayt!
I have bin laid up a bit wi, the dreaded school bug. Burram pleased t'say that thez no signs ov the dreaded lurgy, az we used t,av at Oakwood, eee, it wuz rampant roun this time ov year. Wot, wi kids waggin it azwell it wuz right frustratin fut school board. E, used t, rde round ona bike, but they downt av em any more.
Tell yer wat Bert! uz iz so pleased t,av such an erudite bloke az yer self on ere.
As snug as a bug in a rug - comfortable
ReplyDeleteThe phrase dates back to Benjamin Franklin. My Dad used to say it often. When he went to bed he'd also say "We're in, Meredith", which I heard as "We're in meredith." I thought "meredith" must be another word for heaven or paradise. Thanks to the internet, I found it was a catchphrase of a music-hall act. The catchphrase may have been "Meredith, we're in!"
Hiya everyone,
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have a list of comments to read.
I remember the school board Bryan.I would'nt be surprised if it was the same man who covered all Warrington. He had a stiff leg I think and found it difficult to cock/cog on and off his bike.Was his name Mr. Sparrow?Mams' didnt like him comming to visit even if you had a valid reason to be off school.
Gerroff Bert.Was a talkin' wi' colloquial pronunciation.Well al go t' foot of are stairs.
No,I was'nt confusing it with Warrington dialect.
I have never heard the phrase "We're in Meredith"I was scared of the dark as a child Bert,so if I had heard that whilst going to bed I would have "freaked out" as the younger people say.Especially if I had noticed the pause before Meredith.What? Where is he?My imagination would have run riot.
I'm glad we made you feel welcome when you came to Warrington annon.We're not such a miserable town,but a lot of negative things are said about the town.Usually by the people who live in it :-). Maybe we should all contribute at least two things we like about warrington and be more positive about our town.
Character references make a change.One person missing from the list was wirelector.
Hi Gaynor,
DeleteThis is probably out of sync with this blog but following your last comment concerning good things about Warrington, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find any. I find that the character and heritage is being systematically destroyed by very poor planning and a desire to erect glass and tiles everywhere. I know that as you get older you lament the passing of things you loved but my town is fast becoming a clone of loads of other towns. When I think of the old market, cold in winter and hot in summer I remember at Christmas it smelled of hot tea and celery, wonderful place with loads of character. I have taken my stand on my towns heritage with letters on such things as the the Parr hall organ, Railway history, its coat of arms (Now thankfully restored) its Lancashire home and heritage and of course its dialect. But as a former mayor told me "They are not interested" I do try to be positive about my town but there are those who want to turn my town into a glass and tile jungle and kill every vestige of its rich history, and that a Lancastrian history!! Here is a case in point; A man publishes a book called Cheshire Airfields and includes Burtonwood (Lancashire)home to 20.000 American servicemen and employs scores of Warrington folk and has the longest runway in Europe which BOAC use for a while to
land their airliners. The Burtonwood Association struggle to keep the heritage alive for future generations and are given a place on Gulivers World? because those who should be interested can't be bothered.
Just think of the richness that could be added to this blog if more folk put their all in.
Keep at it Gaynor!
Hi Bryan. I couldn't agree with you more about the systematic removal and destruction of Warrington's heritage. To my mind, the worst example of it is the demolition of Legh Street Baths. There are doubtless many other examples. I left 17 years ago and much has changed since then, but I remember reading about the proposed demolition back in 2011, and I was horrified. My older sister used to take me swimming in Legh Street Baths when I was a kid, and I loved its tiles and changing rooms. It was aesthetically wonderful and part of our heritage and local history, but sadly, as Bryan says, there wasn't sufficient interest to keep it open. Here is a link to the Legh Street Baths section of myWarrington: http://www.mywarrington.me.uk/legh_street_baths.htm
DeleteTo a slightly lesser extent, I lament the loss of the "Roller Rink" building that used to occupy corner of Winmarleigh Street and (I think) Museum Street. Again, part of our heritage lost forever.
Yes Bryan,the old market held a lot of fond memories for older Warrington folk.I only have to think of it and I'm walking past all the familiar stalls.Some people will say "Yes but did you appreciate it at the time? Humbug! Visit that market any day of the week and it was full of chatter and charachter.If you want enough space to perform a viennese waltz go to the new market,there is space in abundance where there should be thriving stalls.A lot of us were hoodwinked to think that the old market structure was dangerous,this was all me eye.
DeleteThe list goes on:The co-op dance hall,the Queens picture house.I realise not all grand buildings but what has replaced these social meeting places?Car showroms and car washes .
A few months ago a handfull of us did a clean up of Bruche park,planting bulbs etc.Guess what happened a few weeks ago? A lovely weeping willow at least 50 years old was cut down.When approached the council workers said "It's orders". It looked in rude health last summer.
Anyway,I'm getting down of this horse.Here are some positive views;
We have a great Library housed in a beautiful building.
A Museum which has some excellent exhibitions open to all. I'm not sure they make up a cultural centre though :-).This is how they are signposted in the town.
St.Elphins church and its cobbled Lane.
The new flood barriers near Victoria Park.
The Skittles area looked smashing last summer.People were sat around eating their lunch and talking.
What do like about Warrington Bryan and Wirelector?
I'm so glad you remember the truant officer with the 'stiff' leg - I think that it was a prosthetic leg. I don't remember his name. His bike was specially adapted so that only one pedal went round. His false leg rested on the stationary pedal, while his other leg did all the work.
DeleteMy remarks were not directed at you, Gaynor, but at Bryan, who posted a list of 'dialect' words on November 15, which were merely attempts at spelling everyday English words as they are often heard, not just in Warrington, but all over England. WADR, I don't see any point in writing "Burram pleased t'say that thez no signs ov the dreaded lurgy, az we used t,av at Oakwood, eee, it wuz rampant roun this time ov year. Wot, wi kids waggin it azwell it wuz right frustratin fut school board. E, used t, rde round ona bike, but they downt av em any more," as it is just difficult to make sense of it. And when you do write that way, why write "signs" when it is pronounced "sines", and why write "ov" when "of" is pronounced "ov" by everybody in England? "Av em" would really be said as "av um", or even "avum".
DeleteNo offence, Bryan.
Hiya Bert,
DeleteI can appreciate what you are saying about the way things were written (how we say them) but it is the way we speak and was shown as how two Warrington people speak in conversation (older ones anyway). For example Bert, the word mothetten(meaning to feel tired after looking after a fractious child for example) as far as I know is peculiar to Warrington would'nt come across the same if you put down" He has been crying all day long, I feel so mothetten".Compare that with "He 'as bin skrikin' all day,am just feelin' mothetten". I think the second one would give you a better idea of Warrington speech.There are so few conributions of what we think is warrington dialect there would be hardly anything on the blog.
Hello Gaynor,
DeleteIn reply to your enquiry about positive atributes of Warrington I must say I like the Town Hall and gates.Very impressive,as a town hall should be.Also think the photo. of the bridge on the home page is very picturesque.
A low point is the Sainsburys supermarket in Church street.What a mess.
I agree on all three accounts.When I started my first job as an office junior I had to hand deliver letters to the town hall.I went up the steps and entered by the front door and had to walk through all the rooms and down to the back office.It is just as impressive inside as out.Needless to say I should have entered by the back door as servants did.
DeleteI think wirelector has taken the photo from Knutsford Rd.It's appropriate to show the river,once the life blood of the town and still an important boundary of two counties (at least to some of us). Also the bridge,still a main thoroughfare after so many years.It looks good comming into Warrington from the south side too.
Sainsburys is just a low slung lump of metal and concrete and the car park next to the street looks awfull.added to it is the estate opposite,all completely out of character to the lovely parish church and old buildings adjoining.
I always seem to begin my comments with My Dad used to say ... so ...
ReplyDeleteMy Dad used to say that Warrington was the Athens of the North, because of the Academy, where Joseph Priestly taught. If you google 'Athens of the North' you will get a page full of hits on Edinburgh, but if you add -edinburgh to your search, you will find a hit about Warrington on the second page. I was very sad to learn that the Legh Street Baths were to be and have been demolished. But it was necessary, as I believe the pools were leaking and could not be repaired economically. But they were so far ahead of their time. I don't know of anywhere else that had four pools as we did. They could all be open in the summer, and in winter, when there was less demand, there would only be one pool open. The others would undergo maintenance, and the mixed plunge would be covered over and they had wrestling and boxing matches there, and dancing, I believe. Our library was the first rate-supported library in the country (it's not quite as simple as that, but it would take too long to go into). The Town Hall and the Golden Gates are probably the finest in the country. Warrington is also ideally situated - equidistant from Liverpool and Manchester, three National Parks within two hours' drive - The Lake District, Snowdonia and the Peak District. Walton Hall Gardens, the Bridgewater Canal, the Manchester Ship Canal. But I have to agree it's not what it was.
Hello All,
ReplyDeleteYou may or may not know that I am a committee member of www.forl.co.uk which is an associate member of www.abcounties.co.uk.
I did some research on Warrington Parish church which is has the 7th highest spire in England (281ft) It also contains much history and has a chapel dedicated to the South Lancashire Regiment which had its HQ at the Peninsular barracks Warrington. part of this barracks still remain and is occupied by the Royal Engineers.
In line with my previous comments about the loss of our heritage I looked up Warrington parish church on Wikipedia which has Warrington Parish church in Cheshire (Horror) Warrington parish church is in Lancashire and has never been out of it. This highlights one of the problems of my towns heritage. No matter how many times Wickedpedia are contacted about these falsehoods they continue to put my town in the wrong county. This also applies to WBC who will not listen even when evidence is provided contrary to what they want to believe.
As I said in my previous comment about heritage, you are likely to walk into a wall of silence if you pursue many things concerning my towns heritage which is extremely rich. Indeed as Bert says I have heard Warrington called the Athens of England and the gateway to Lancashire when I was much
younger, but not today.
I am of the opinion that these things should be cherished and preserved for future generations but I fear the general apathy of the day which pervades the whole land will consign our heritage to the bin.
Hi All
ReplyDeleteWell I'm back sooner than I anticipated, obviously responding to the request to identify my two favourite things about Warrington, my home town. My first, and this only relates to present day Warrington. It's any of the roads out of Warrington. For me Warrington has changed so extensively that it bears little resemblance to that town of yesteryear, which I think had its own character and in a way its own charm. All the amenities that have been mentioned in previous comments were what made Warrington - Warrington. Only today my wife and I were making almost identical comments to Gaynor's, about the old and new markets, As Gaynor pointed out, and my wife agreed, the market now has a 'Strictly come Dancing' area, but without the TV cameras. We remembered Bridge Street when it was alive with people, now that only happens after 10pm and most of them don't really know they are in Bridge Street by that time.
I know people say " Well thats progress, and you can't stop progress". but I'm sure it could have been done with a more sympathetic approach to our heritage and architecture, I admit our architecture was never the best but at least it reflected the varied industrial growth of this town, Surely some of these buildings could have been put to an alternative use to preserve something which might have been unique to Warrington.
But there is one part of that progress which I feel is in complete contrast to all those other failures, and it is my second favourite thing I love about Warrington. Its Sankey Valley Park, Now I grew up living within 'smelling' distance of Sankey Brook or as we kids called it 'The Stinker'. What a transformation Warrington's progress has brought to that part of the town, and one I think we can be proud of. So when you want to get away from all the 'any town' parts of Warrington this is the place to head for. But don't leave it to long as you never know what our Council members are planning on our behalf, no doubt some greedy developer will help them make up their minds.
Yorick
Hiya Yorick,
DeleteI think one of the places that could have been revived yorick was the old market and possibly the baths.If it could be done with the Victoria baths in Manchester (although i know they recieved some funding) I'm sure it could have been made possible here.Instead leisure centres are being built all around town and are either being demolished (fordton)within a relatively short period of time or are continually under repair.
What did you think about the plans of the new market? My first impression was it looks like a car showroom.We will see.
I agree about your comments on Bridge st.When you look down it comming into warrington over the bridge it looks like a ghost town made worse by the unlit Christmas lights during the day. However, I think the flats that replaced Greenalls have been built well and in a style that looks befiting to the town,better than the grey things in other parts of town.Also I think the flood barriers around Victoria park are in keeping and they work! Then there's the Skittles....:-).
All parks should be kept and maintained,we all need to see greenery and get away from it all sometimes.
Hello Yorick,
DeleteI could not agree more, many things could have been done to preserve the character of my town but those who desired that were and are overruled. I spoke to a former councillor and asked why on earth the old market and its area were not preserved as they should have been. The reply came "I wanted to do that but was overruled" Gaynor will be familiar with all the excuses as I am. The roof was unsafe, it was beyond repair etc. The area surrounding the fish market was full of character and it was not beyond our construction technology to refurbish and make safe etc. One thinks of a Biblical text to sum up these things " The love of money is the root of all evil"
Here is a good thing about Warrington. The River Mersey has fish in it and there is no pink foam a foot thick floating down to the sea and blowing round Bridge street.
Lord Wiinmarlegh , occupant of the Warrington town hall refused to let the LNWR build a marshalling yard at Arpley because it would spoil his view. So they built it at Crewe.
I rather like Bank Park, mind you, they might build a super market on it or some more of those three story flats, to take Yoricks view point.
However let us remember that this blog is about our dialect. So lets get down t,market on satdie morning and mek sum nowts, oops sorry Bert ah, meen notes az t,ow folks iz speekin.
Hiya everyone,
ReplyDeleteHere are a few limericks.I hope you all enjoy them.
There was a young chap from Great Sankey,
Who fer Christmas gorra posh 'anky,
'e knew it was posh,
Cos written across,
Was 'is name in phonetics not Lanky.
'er indoors is the wife of good Yorick,
Shi can give 'im an 'eadache quite chronic,
Shill clap and shill shout,
'e can't work it out,
Why a scrum meks 'er quite so euphoric.
A young chap named Bryan likes talkin'
"The only thing beats it is walkin"
But 'e cogged on t 'is cycle
Caught somethin' vital,
Now 'es not talkin' or walkin'.
About Bert I'm in quite a pickle,
'e seems serious might think I'm fickle,
We were in a stew about newt,
A swoon about ewt,
Yorick cried "Stop",these things mean so likkle".
Don't give up yer day job luvvy
DeleteHello Yorick,
DeleteI saw your comments on Hobleys, now I cannot find it?
However, I would like to continue along that line. I remember it said on the roof "Reg, Men's Hostel.. It is worth noting that at the rear of the present James Lee House there is T E Hughes (Iron Mongers) which has been there since the year
dot. I went in there the other day, you can get,( here we go) "Ewt" and you can ask for things in feet and inches. You step down into the shop and it rains in when the gulley outside is blocked. At the other end of the street is the Manx Arms, now shut and just round the corner in Orchard St is the scrap yard which is still called Poddy's after the original owner Podmore. If you walk from the Hobleys towards the Brick makers Arms (Now called PaPa's) you can see one of the last remaining cobbled streets in Warrington (Don't tell WBC) Yorick you were right about the tannery next to Hobleys, man what a stink! now covered over with the German jam shop (Lidl)
Hi Gaynor and Bryan
ReplyDeleteWell done Gaynor a sonnet to challenge my creator, ignore the sarcasm which sometimes appears on here.
Bryan I know we are off subject somewhat with the chat about the streets around the site where Hobley's once stood, but it did start with a phrase totally relevant to Warrington 'speak'. The cobbled street you mentioned is what remains of General Street and on the 1841 Census my 3 times great grandfather and family were living there, nice that I can still tread the same cobbles they walked on all those years ago. In addition the mention of T E Hughes the ironmongers in what I believe is still Crossley Street, reminded me that on that same Census one of my 4 times great grandfathers was living with his family. I wonder if Hughe's was a shop in their day.
I promise no more digressions.
Yorick
Hiya Yorick,
DeleteJust one more digression :-) Iknow what you mean Yorick about walking in the stepes of your ancestors.I have also researched where mine lived and there is something very moving about walking where they walked,although their cobbles have long gone.I think that is one of the reasons why I still like living in Warrington.It's more than just bricks and mortar.Put your 'anky away now .
Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy new year.
Hello Yorick,
DeleteI know we have digressed a little but it is relevant. T E Hughes, I think they have been there quite a while, I can remember going into that unchanged shop in the 1970's. I will make enquiries as to how long its been there.
For your interest there is a an old established Warrington firm of cabinet makers just a little further on in Grey St (R E Forsters) They produced the seats for the Warrington trams, I have been a visitor and customer on several occasions. The ground floor still has the machines (now no longer in use) and the upper floor is a workshop and show room (hand made English oak furniture) Expensive!!
I consider the place to be part of Warrington's heritage and if the current proprietor will allow I intend to take some photo's as it is likely to close in the near future. And then you know what will happen........more flats!
Hello Lizzy,
DeleteHave you anything constructive to say about our dialect?
Hello Yorick & Gaynor,
DeleteThe result of my investigation is: the present T E Hughes has been there for 50 years, prior to that it was known as Robbins and Hughes. It would be interesting to know what the building was before that time, it looks to be quite old.
An observation.
The former baths had some of its semi circular arches preserved, these have been incorporated into the new building entrance. If you look at the left hand arch you will see that the key stone is not level/plumb. I cannot understand why the clerk of works let this pass?
Y,see folks ah downt dawdle about.
Hi Bryan
ReplyDeleteI wish you would stop tempting my inquisitiveness by adding tit bits about Warrington's past, I just can't resist following them up (always in dialect of course)
You mentioned that you last visited Hughe's shop in 1970 didn't you, well if you had gone down Crossley Street a hundred years earlier, you would have passed :- A beer retailer, a chair maker, a coal dealer, a fustian cutter, 2 rope makers, 4 shopkeepers and a tea dealer, plus all the other residents. Had it been 1824 you might have been buying a sail for your boat as Thos Sidey and Son are listed as sail cloth manufacturers at that address.
To comply with the requirements of this blog, here is what I presume is a dialect statement given to a Government Commission visiting Warrington in 1841, by a lady who was asked about her husbands drinking habits, she replied "He likes a bit of a soak now and then".
Yorick
Hello Yorick,
DeleteJust a little further afield, but in the same area. What about the sixpenny walk?
He likes a bit of a soak, well there were three breweries (Greenalls, Walkers, and Cunningtons)and a distillery in Warrington, so there have been no end of soaks in the town. Many is the family that went short on Fridays (payday) I once worked out that there were 89 pubs within a mile of the town centre, that would have been about 1964.
It was said that if you had a thimble full of beer in the Lord Rodney and called in every pub in a straight line from there to the Packet House, doubling the amount in each pub, you would not reach the end.
"Gerrit down yer neck" was quite a common saying amongst the ale cans that I knew in my youth. Did you know that it was quite common for Warrington dray men to drink 25 pints a day (3 Gallons). That's a bit more than a soak.
Two of the pubs in the area we have been talking about were the "Brick makers Arms & Glass Makers"
Hello Again Yorick,
DeleteI am glad that this season is coming to an end and we can get back to normal.
A little about the area in which I live. "Orford Green"
The space taken up by Hilden Island had a farm when I were a lad. After the farm had gone two large tree's remained for quite some time, these were known as "The farm tree's". Close by and running parallel to the A50 (Orford Rd) was Padgate brook, known to all as "Grannies Brook" A common cry amongst local children was "Av fellin grannies" or eez fellin Grannies. The whole area on the other side of Grannies was known as "The Camp" (RAF Padgate) with its rife range known to children as "The Bullet". It was quite common for naughty children to climb the embankment and cross the CLC avoiding line and descend into the depths of "Lost valley" the space created by the two embankments at Padgate Junction, where there were frogs, jackies and yes, wait for it NEWTS! meaning amphibians in this case.
I received an Email the other day from a former work colleague in which he said "There's newt left" spelt NEWT. Sorry Bert, that's Warrington dialect, y,aft purrup with it.
Hi Bryan
ReplyDeleteSorry to correct you in public, but it was not 'Cunnington's' brewery, it was B Cunningham's brewery. It was located in Owen Street (runs between Winwick Road and Dallam Lane). In 1951 their licensed premises were taken over by Joshua Tetley & Son Ltd. In April of this year 11 of their old beer labels were sold on E Bay for £8.50 by a guy in Poland. I have one of their bottles in my small collection of local bottles
With regard to draymens beer consumption, My maternal grandfather was a drayman for Walker's brewery for 34 years from 1895. My mother used to tell us that the horses brought the dray back to the brewery on many occasions, without the aid of the draymen.
Yorick
Dear Yorick,
DeleteThank you for your public correction, although I must confess that it is not the way I would have gone about it.
I do not frequent public houses or collect bottles, I speak purely from my memory and life experience, so I think I may be forgiven for getting the name of a brewery slightly wrong which has been closed for quite some years.
I am of the opinion that there is a rich untapped well of history in the memories of my towns folk which unfortunately is missing from this blog mainly because of the all pervading apathy of our day.
I
Hello all bloggers, happy new year to you all.
DeleteA friend of mine in the highlands is always amused by the way I say "Aya oor raaght"
Two friends of mine from deepest Warrington (Lancashire side) came t,see me yesterday. an I was quite interested by wat thee sed.I noted that come was pronounced "Cum" which reminded me of my Mum when she used to say to us "don't cum it lad "
I notice yorick that you have had family connections with the brewing business and collect memorabelia.Have you ever heard of the word "slop?".My brother was a drayman and mam used to call the jacket part of his overalls a slop.I suppose it could have been a word she made up herself.
DeleteI heard the word trundles used a while ago in connection with barrel makeing,the wire rims that shape them.
Hello Gaynor.
DeleteA slop was or is an overall normally a one piece full length coat kind of thing. A trundle I think was a hoop which you knocked along with a stick. It could be that the hoops produced for barrel making (Cooperage) were the trundles, not sure! Are there any coopers left in
Warrington? No Gloggers, no coopers, no cobblers, eee, warra t'do
Hiya everyone,
ReplyDeleteI was beginning to think "slop" was a word mam must have made up Bryan.Obviously not. Have you seen a definition of it written anywhere as meaning "overall or rough coat?". I have'nt.So it could be a true dialect word.
My hubby made me laugh the other day.We were out walking along a canal path and I commented on all the litter that had been left along one stretch of the walk.He said "Sloppy people will be sloppy whereever their slopping"
There is a cobbler in Warrington market.He cuts keys,sharpens shears etc. as well.
Here are a couple of words and sayings:
Like a streak of piss/water: Said of someone who is very thin.
Gone for a burton: Something that is worn out and useless.
Esh pan: A small shallow pan that catches burnt coals(ashes)under a fire.
Onny?: Only. I have heard this pronounced as Ohnny and by my Yorkshire brother in law as Onny (o said as in "on").
Any more snippets of the book Robert?
"Gone for a burton" is a familiar expression, but its derivation is disputed.
DeleteDid you really pronounce it as "esh pan"? We called ours an ash pan. It was removed with a peculiar cast iron tool about six inches long. It had a couple of prongs at one end which fitted a small bracket on the back of the ash pan. The ashes were emptied every morning before making the fire for the new day. If the fire didn't draw too well to begin with, my Dad would put the coal shovel against the grate and put a sheet of newspaper in front of it. This forced the air to go underneath the fire and through it so it drew better. You had to keep an eye on it though! Sometimes a spark would set fire to the newspaper.
Hiya Bert,
DeleteIt all sounds so familiar,the hearth was the hub of the home years ago.Kettles were boiled on it,toast was made in front of it and I remember some had little ovens at the side built into the fireplace. Our water was also heated by the fire being drawn up like you describe and a metal prong being pulled down inside the chimney.I used to enjoy helping to make the fire as long as it was'nt too early:-). We always threw all packets and paper waste on to the fire,there was hardly anything in the bin.
Yes we did pronounce it esh pan.Eshes,esh pan,esh bin.All the good eshes that still had a bit of black on them were reused in the next fire.
It will be interesting to know if anybody else as heard of a plot of land which was known by everybody who used it,and probably their friends and family, as the "fence". My dad and others had their pigeon lofts on this plot and I beleive there was also Chicken runs' and Rabbit hutches. It used to be located where the Range warehouses are now ,just off winwick road travelling north from the town centre.
ReplyDeleteHere are a few more sayings:
To high heaven: You could be dressed,made up,decorated,full to "'igh 'eaven".It meant anything which was over done or over the top.
Broken biscuits: Confused. "Eee shiz talkin' all broken biscuits t day".
Hello Gaynor,
DeleteIt looks like we are the last of the few.
My dad hadalotment which he called the "Plot"
What does it mean? dunup like a dogs dinner. And what does it mean, eez gorra face like a yard of tripe. (I'm not metricated)
I still use that expression "broken biscuits" People who talk in a confused way, not finishing one sentence before starting another one.
Hiya everyone,
DeleteYou could be right Bryan,the number of contributors is always low so we can't afford to lose anyone thats for sure.But who knows?
I had never heard of the saying "broken biscuits" untill a friend used it a few weeks ago.Its sounds like exactly what it means.
Confusion broke out in The Corner Cafe (no I don't get commision for mentioning it's name :-) ) A chap was ordering a bacon barm cake for his wife,Hazel is a southerner:
Hazel:"Do you want batter on the barm cake?"
Chap:"Pardon?"
Hazel:"Batter"
Chap:"Pardon?" And so it went on untill a lady stood next to him said ,as Hazel resorted to picking up the butter carton, "Shi means butter luv". The chap was from Wigan.
For some reason this saying came into my mind the other day:
"Keep it dark" I heard it quite a lot growing up.
"Oooh ta mam ,thiz a lot on me plate"
"Well keep it dark". Meaning not to tell anybody.
I've heard "it stinks to high heaven" many a time, used literally and figuratively.
DeleteHello all,
ReplyDeleteA loyalty question.
George Formby was born in Wigan Lancashire. Which county was he buried in?
Lancashire, of course. He is buried in Warrington cemetery beside (or on top of ) his father. His epitaph reads "A tradition nobly upheld"
ReplyDeleteIn Lancashire, of course. He is buried in Warrington cemetery beside (or on top of) his father. His epitaph reads "A tradition nobly upheld,"
ReplyDeleteHello Bert,
DeleteIts gradely t,see yer back on the blog.
You are of course right about Mr Formby's grave its in Lancashire although WBC are not keen on acknowledging the fact.
I still have one of those cast iron things for tekkin out the ashes, in fact I have to do it morning and evening because I have a multi fuel stove. I made toast in front of the fire with the toasting fork for my Grandaughter (age 6) Oh, she said we have a machine at home that makes proper toast???
I remember the shovel and paper trick to get the fire going, as I remember from my steam engine days, primary air comes through the fire bars and secondary air comes through the fire hole door. We did the same thing to get the fire going on the puff puff's with assistance of the smoke box blower or the jet as we called it .
th,ashpan is what we called it.
Interesting regional variation Gaynor batter for Butter. What about soot, is it soot or sut?
I think Gaynor was just trying to show, as best we can without resorting to phonetic symbols, how southerners (or posh people) pronounce butter. I pronounce 'soot' as sut. My Dad taught me a rhyme:
ReplyDeleteMary had a little lamb
It had a sooty foot
And everywhere that Mary went
Its sooty foot it put.
I still have my Dad's toasting fork. Does yours extend from about 12 inches to about 20 inches?
Dare I say it Bryan? Th'ash pan is the glottal stop action is'nt it?I must be slippin',I have'nt snook it in for a while:-).
ReplyDeleteI remember that rhyme Bert. I pronounce soot as sut.How do you pronounce it Bryan?. It's the same type of thing as look and luk.My hubby would say look(as in Luke),I say luk(as in luck).
Hello G&B
ReplyDeleteWhy, sut of course same fut (foot).
I do not have one of those extending toasting forks, although I could do with one, mine is about 18 inches long made of brass. Did you know that nearly all signal boxes in the old days (1960's) had a toasting fork made out of signal wire, that's the wire that went from the signal box to the signal through a series of pulley wheels along the track. Very often that wire could be in excess of half a mile long. Piggy on the railway picking stones. Along came an engine a broke piggy's bones . Oh said piggy, that's not fair. Oh said the engine driver, I don't care. Ewld rhyme.
Hello all,
DeleteWara stottal glop! I missed the nd out of and. I must be gerrin a bit fergetfull. I keep gerrin wiggly red lines under me words?
I have not seen any cases of the dreaded urgy in school today.
More ewld rhymes from the school yard.
I went t, the pictures tomorrow.
An bought a frunt seet at the back
I fell from the pit to the gallery
And broke a front bone in me back
I bought a plain cake with currants in
I ate it and gave her back.
Twas in the month of Manchester
In the city of July
The snow was raining heavily
And the streets were very dry.
Good rhymes Bryan,they are new to me. A lot of rhymes were taught to make learning certain things easier were'nt they.
ReplyDelete30 days hath september,April June and November,
All the rest have 31,except February which has 28 days clear,
29 each leap year.
A counting rhyme:
1,2,buckle my shoe,
3,4,knock at the door,
5,6 pick up sticks,
7,8,lay(sorry Bert) them straight,
9,10,big fat hen.
We have mentioned the word lay being used for lie on another page.but has anyone heard the saying "yer'l get laid on if yer father sees yer doin' that". Meaning you will get smacked.
Hello Gaynor,
DeleteMore school yard rhymes.
One fine day in the middle of the night
Two dead men got up to fight
Back to back they faced each other
Drew their swords and shot each other.
There were various unsavoury rhymes heard in the school yard when I went to school and indeed they still are heard. Disgusting would be a better description,
One of them began: yellow matter custard etc.
Question:
Can anyone complete the following skipping song which I heard when at primary school.
Little black doctor
How's your wife
Very well thank you
She's alright...........
Some of my friends were trying to remember the rest of the song but could not bring it to mind.
I think I can add another couple of lines Bryan:
DeleteLittle black doctor,
hows your wife?.
Very well thank you,
she's alright.
But she wont eat her biscuit
and she wont comb her hair
I think there is at least another line and then:
So O-U-T spells out,when whoever was skipping would run out of the rope.
Are children still allowed to sing that song in the playground or is it considered not PC?.
There's nothing wrong with 'lay them straight', Gaynor, so no need to apologise.
DeleteIt the people who say they are going to have a 'lay-down', or the nurse who asks me to 'lay down' on the examination table (or couch) who "literally" drive me up the wall.
I thought that was an original Lennon composition, Bryan. "Yellow matter custard, dripping from a dead dog's eye ..." I never heard it in my schoolyard.
DeleteI hear lay used to mean lie.It does'nt get on my nerves it just takes me by surprise.My bus bear(as I'm sure everyone knows by now) is people talking in question.Some peoples sentences will rise at the end which gives the impression that a question is being asked.Drives me bonkers.
DeleteMay be John Lennon rememberd that line from his playground days.I am the walrus is the type of song he may have flung a line like that into.Is there a dead dog
involved Bryan?I know semolina is included in Lennons song.That could be from memories of his school dinners:-)
After a rugby player put in a very high tackle on another player the commentator said "I hope they dont let that creep into the game".Me and my hubby looked at each other and laughed "Which creep?".
ReplyDeleteAmusing noun and verb play on words.
I posted the "two dead men rhyme" a while ago, but it hasn't appeared. I also posted this one at the same time:
ReplyDeleteThe elephant is a bonny bird
It flits from bough to bough.
It makes its nest in the rhubarb tree
And whistles like a cow.
This rhyme I learned from "The New First Aid in English" which was a very useful book we had at school in 1959. It also gave Bryan's rhyme about the rain and snow, but substituted Liverpool for Manchester.
Another bit of nonsense: Don't look at me in that tone of voice - it smells a funny colour.
I dont know where I was when these rhymes were being said.I dont remember any of the nonsense or the horrible ones.A definite gap in my education.I wrote one about my brother when he was at that age where I was getting on his nerves.I dont think anyone would want to hear it,especially Lizzie Dripping.
ReplyDeleteHere are a few more sayings and words:
Dont get yer 'air off: Dont get angry.
Whats it all over?: Whats it about.
Lobby: The long narrow hall you enter when you walk into a terraced house.Now it always seems to be called the hall.
Cornish; The shelf of a fireplace.
I have never heard the last bit of "Dont look at me in that tone of voice" Bert;-).
Hiya everyone,
ReplyDeleteIt's been a sunny few days in Warrington.Lets hope it's the end of the deluge of rain suffered by many people.
A few more things to add:
Favver: Favour: to resemble somebody. "ee she favvers 'er mother dun't shi".
A set to:An argument/tiff/squabble. "The way them two are talkin' a can see there bein' a set to".
Call/kall?:To gossip about somebody. "Since their neighbours moved in thiv done newt(e as in net) but call 'em".
Lether/Leather: A hard smack."You deserve a good letherin' for usein' language like that"