Cotton, music, football. And the phrase Mad fer it! Manchester is famous for many things, and our accent is one of them.
One of the most distinctive in the country, it has developed over generations. As a result, there have been plenty of words, phrases, and pronunciations that might not mean much to many – but for those who grew up in Manchester, they are easily understood.
Some may be more recognisable, whereas others have been bound to certain generations or areas of the region or showcase our northern roots. Whether these were said by grandparents, parents, neighbours or pals, or whether we still say them ourselves, these are some of the words we were raised hearing.
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Here are 35 words or phrases you will most likely know and love if you hail from these parts.
This list isn’t intended to be comprehensive. We used a combination of suggestions from readers and some from our own memory and knowledge.But if there are any you feel we should have included, let us know in the comments section.
1. Newtons
Derived from rhyming slang, Newton Heath meaning teeth. For example, “look at the state of his Newtons.”
2. Chuddy or chud
Chuddy or chud referring to a type of chewing gum. For example, “do you want a chuddy?”
3. Mither
Sometimes used in other parts of the country, to mither means to bother, trouble or aggravate someone. For example, “I can’t be mithered with all this”, or “I’m in a bit of mother.”
4. Gaggin’
Thirsty, in need of a drink. For example, “I’m gaggin’ for a drink.”
5. Salfords
Another Mancunian rhyming slang, for socks, using Salfords as it rhymes with Salford Docks. For example, “pull your Salfords up.”
6. Dead
A prefix to a word or phrase to exaggerate or add emphasis. For example, “that exam was dead ‘ard.”
7. Ginnel
Ginnel, meaning an alley. For example, “he got away by running up that ginnel.”
8. Keks
Not just used in Manchester, keks refers to a pair of trousers. For example, “look at his jazzy keks.”
9. Fettled
Fettled means to fix, repair or mend something. For example, “I am taking my car in to get fettled.”
10. Mint
Arguably an obvious choice – mint is a term often used by people across Manchester, meaning excellent or very good. Example: “That’s well mint that.”
11. Nah
Used by others across the North and beyond, ‘nah’ is a saying for no, to decline something.
12. Scrikin’
Some may have used this saying in the past, which means to cry or shed tears. For example, “what’s up with the baby, he won’t stop scrikin.”
13. Strop
If someone you knew were to have a tantrum or an outburst, you might say they “threw a strop.”
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14. Daft ‘apeth
Daft ‘apeth means a fool or silly person. For example, “stop being such a daft ‘apeth.”
15. Snide
Snide, sometimes used by other regions, means to be mean or ungenerous. For example, “I can’t believe you’re not sharin’. That’s well snide.”
16. ‘Angin’
This Mancunian used word means disgusting or not very nice. Example: “I think this food has gone off, it’s ‘angin’.”
Have you ever used any of this dialect? Let us know in the comments section below.
17. Bessie
Bessie or ‘bezzie’ means your best or closest friends. For instance: “meeting me bessies for a pint later.”
18. Dibble
Deriving from Top Cat’s adversary Officer Dibble, this word is used to refer to the police. Example: “The dibble arrested him yesterday.”
19. Cock
This is a generic term of endearment for a friend or loved one. For instance: “Y’all right cock?”
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20. Sound
A well-known word used in Manchester and beyond, sound is used as a way to praise something as good or decent. Example: “He’s a sound bloke.”
21. Mingin’
A familiar word used in Manchester, this means something is unpleasant or revolting. Example: “That’s mingin’ that is.”
22. Buzzin’
Known across the North West, buzzin’ means ecstatic or extremely happy. For instance, “I am buzzin’ for this.”
23. Cadge
To Scrounge or ask for or obtain. For instance, “I need to cadge a lift off someone.”
24. Bare
It normally means being not clothed or covered. But in Manchester, as in some other places, it means the opposite, ‘lots of’ or ‘very much.’ For example “There were bare people at the party.”
25. Bobbins
Meaning nonsense, or rubbish. “That’s bobbins, that”.
26. Chufty badge
An invisible badge for doing something significant. “What do you want, a chufty badge?
27. Do one
Meaning to go away or get lost. “Oh just do one will you”
28. Mooch
To have a wander and look around. “I’m to go for a mooch round town.”
29. Scran
Food or a bit to eat. “Are we getting some scran?”
30. Swear down
An insistence that something is the truth. “I swear down I never touched it.”
31. Scoops
Meaning alcoholic drinks. “You coming out for a few scoops?”
32. Peg it.
To run away. “Peg it, the dibble are coming.”
33. Lamp
To hit someone. “He was doing my head in, so I lamped him.”
We’ve got a quiz to test your knowledge of the lingo. You can give it a try below. If you can’t see the quiz, you can open it in a new browser.
34. Cob on
To be annoyed or angry. “He’s got a cob on.”
35. Give over
A term of disagreement or an order to stop it. “I’m hungry. Give over, you can’t be, you’ve just had your tea!”
We’ve got a quiz to test your knowledge of the lingo. You can give it a try below. If you can’t see the quiz, you can open it in a new browser.
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