The Yorkshire accent is a wonderful thing and can be confusing to outsiders. You could spend years in a town and then when you move a few miles down the road you’ll find that these Yorkshire folk use a whole host of different phrases to where you’ve just been. There are some similarities between Yorkshire accents across the west, south, north and east of God’s Own Country, but despite the differences, the language is just as beautiful. With that in mind, Yorkshire slang is a hard thing to define.
The strongest Yorkshire accent has to be in the South of Yorkshire, especially Barnsley, which has a whole host of words that other parts of Yorkshire don’t use. We asked our wonderful readers what words and phrases are most Yorkshire and aimed to create the ultimate guide of Yorkshire words and phrases to make this the ultimate place to go for all things Yorkshire. If you’ve got any more that you think need to be in our list, let us know!
Also known as Tyke, Yorkie or Yorkshire English, the Yorkshire dialect and Yorkshire sayings general are made up of several variations spoken across God’s Own Country and have their roots in Old English and to a greater extent Old Norse language. These Yorkshire expressions are what help make our region so unique and give us Yorkshire folk our distinct character that has helped us be known as some of the warmest, yet sharp-tongued in the country.
Check out our list of some of the best Yorkshire slang words & phrases from across the county:
Anno
No this isn’t some biblical word, this is how Yorkshire folk say “I know”
“Anno, us Yorkshire folk can be tight.”
Arse End
Means in the middle of nowhere.
“It’s in the arse end of the universe.”
Arse Over Tit
If you’ve ever fallen on your arse, then some Yorkshire folk might say when someone has fallen hard.
Bagsy
To claim something for yourself in a Yorkshire accent.
“Turn around, touch the ground, bagsy not it.”
Be Reyt
A Yorkshire folks response to when things are going wrong. Our positive attitude or thank we couldn’t careless shines through with this phrase. Usually followed with a response of “pint?”
“Cars broken down, be reyt”
“Pint?”
“Aye”
Bog
If you’ve ever heard a Yorkshireman say they’re off to the bog, they aren’t going to find the nearest field… They’re more than likely off to the toilet.
Brossend
Usually used after you’ve had one of yer nanas classic Sunday Roasts, Brossend means full to burst.
“Does thee want another Yorkshire?”
“Na, am brossend.”
Bray
To hit someone or to grind something into small pieces.
“‘ere dickhead come ‘ere or I’ll bray yer.”
Buggerlugs
Another term of endearment, usually used to greet someone or get their attention. A great li’ bit of Yorkshire slang.
“Oi buggerlugs, put the kettle on.”
Butty
We aren’t going to get into the bread bun debate, but there is one thing for sure that a sandwich is called a butty in good ol’ Yorkshire. Especially in reference to a chip butty.
“Chip butty wi’ scraps, cheers.”
Chorers
Townies or chavs, a slang term for them.
Chuffin’
‘Cos no one likes a potty mouth chuffin’ is a Yorkshire way of using the F-word without using it. A great way to express annoyance.
“Chuffin’ hell!.”
C’unt
No we aren’t swearing at you. Us Yorkshire folk like to shorten our words which means couldn’t gets shortened to well c’unt.
“I c’unt get a seat in the boozer.”
Cock/ Cocker
A term of endearment.
“Now then, me old cocker.”
Cog / Croggy
What you call it when someone gives you a lift on their bike. Sometimes also referred to by Yorkshire folk as a backie.
“Do us a cog, mate.”
Coyt
How Yorkshire folk say coat.
“You won’t need yer coyt, it’s only -6 degrees.”
Daft ‘apeth
A term of endearment in Yorkshire. Usually meaning silly person and said in a reassuring manner.
“Don’t worry about it yer daft ‘apeth.”
Down Town
How a Yorkshire person says they’re going into the city centre
“Am off down town, want owt?”
Eck/Eckers
Another attempt at avoiding bad language, this generally replaces hell or other swear words. One of our favourite Yorkshire Slang terms.
“Did he ‘eckers.”
Eeh by Gum
The Yorkshire way of saying oh my gosh.
“Eeh by gum, it’s bloody freezing out!”
Ey up
The Yorkshire greeting. When two Yorkshire folk meet, this is one of many nonsensical ways we’ll greet each other. It can also mean ‘look at that’ or ‘watch out’.
“Ey up, ‘ow’s it goin'”
“Ey up, ‘ere comes trouble.”
Gander
To have a look for something.
“Let’s have a gander.”
Gip
The act of being physically sick.
“When someone mentions puttin’ the milk in a brew first it makes me gip.”
Guwing t’ shop, wanowt
This means “would you like anything from the shop as I am going.” As Yorkshire people have short arms and deep pockets, the answer should always be no.
Kegs
A term for your underwear.
“I haven’t got any clean kegs.”
Laikin’/ Larkin’
This slang word usually means whether someone is playing out or not, or if they’re been silly. It has been known to be used if someone is off work as well. As always, Yorkshire folk don’t like to use the G at the end of words.
“Is Big Lad laikin’ out today?”
Lamp
To punch someone.
“Keep going and I’ll lamp ya.”
Mack Off
Originating from East Yorkshire, it means if something is huge.
“That’s a mack off sarnie.”
Maftin
When the sun pokes its head out and every person in Yorkshire starts sweating. Maftin usually refers to being well hot.
“It’s bloody maftin’ in here.”
Manky
The best way to describe the word manky is when you put your hand in a sink and remove all the soggy food. That’s manky.
“Eeerrgh, that’s manky.”
Mardy
Probably the most commonly known Yorkshire slang phrase thanks to the Arctic Monkeys tune. Normally means when someone is in a mood and acting irritable (usually the Mrs).
“Na then, Mardy Bum”
Monk On
When the wife is being arsey.
“She’s got a reyt monk on.”
Morngy
Another great word to describe someone being an arsey bugger.
“What’s up your arse you morngy bastard.”
Mooch
What Yorkshire folk say instead of walk or wander.
“Fancy a mooch into town?”
Nesh
Nesh means to feel the cold. Something Northern folk rarely do, but on that occasion we’d say that.
“Nesh bugger, it’s only 6 degrees.”
Nithered
What everyone feels when they’re sat in a beer garden in April.
“Turn the heating on, I’m nithered.”
Now Then/Now Bor
How Yorkshire folk greet each other.
“Now then, daft lad.”
Nowt/Owt
Two similar sounds with opposite meanings. Nowt means nothing and owt means anything.
“Well, what is it? Owt or nowt?”
‘Ow Do
A Yorkshire greeting. Usually a reciprocal response of “‘ow do.”
“Nar then, ‘ow do.”
‘Ow Much
The Yorkshire cry can usually be heard when something is expensive. It’s best to be shouted.
“‘Ow muuuuchhh.”
Put t’wood in t’oil
Means shut the bloody door, it’s freezing.
“Put t’wood in t’oil yer bugger.”
Radge
Generally used to describe someone that is crazy, or violent and angry.
“That fight last night were radged.”
Reyt As Rain
If you’re feeling positive and happy.
“Aye, I’m reyt as rain, thanks.”
Reyt Good
Yorkshire slang for that’s really good. One of the most commonly used Yorkshire slang phrases in our house.
“That’s reyt good, tha’.”
Ruering
When a baby or child is crying.
“Quit yer ruering.”
Shagga
Get your head out of the gutter, it doesn’t mean that. In Yorkshire, it’s a friendly term for someone who is your friend.
“Na then, Shagga!”
Si’thi’
See you later.
“Ta’ra.”
“Si’thi.”
Sling Yer Hook
This means to get lost or go away.
“Sling yer hook, yer not welcome ‘ere.”
Snap
Food.
“What ya got for yer snap?”
Snicket/Ginnel/Gennel
The term varies across Yorkshire but generally means alleyway or passageway. Typically between fences or walls in an open space or between gardens.
Sup wier
How Yorkshire mums ask what’s up with their children when they’re trying to skive school.
“Tha’s nowt wrong wier ya. Sup wier?”
Ta’ra
See you later.
“Ta’ra, love.”
Thanos
No, not the Marvel bad guy. Pronounced tha’nos, it usually means you know or for, and is used at the end of a sentence.
“Be reyt, tha’nos.”
Tha Sen
How Yorkshire folk say yourself.
“Keep tha hands t’ tha sen.”
Thee, Tha, Thou
Usually referring to one person, this is a Yorkshire term for you.
“Does tha fancy another pint?”
Tin Tin Tin
If someone can’t find what they’re looking for in the tin.
“Tin, tin tin.”
Twagging/Wagging
To bunk off school.
Wang
No, it’s not an innuendo. Wang means to throw or toss.
“Wang it ova there, bor.”
Wazzock
If you’ve been called one of these in Yorkshire, someone thinks you’re an idiot or a fool.
Drop a note in the comments or get in touch with us if you would like some more words added to our Yorkshire slang list.
The Yorkshire accent is a wondrous thing and these Yorkshire words & phrases and are just a small idea of the endless and joyful things you can expect when meeting a Yorkshireman on your way in this world. Yorkshire slang shows off the county’s cracking cultural roots and tight-knit community spirit. This cracking lingo brings a special flavour to chats, capturing the friendly vibe that Yorkshire is famous for. Getting to grips with these 61 one-of-a-kind words and phrases gives you a small peek into what makes this place so special, showing off the wit, banter, and personality of the locals. When you’re in Yorkshire next, dive right into the chat and get stuck in with the Yorkshire slang. You’ll be feeling reet at home in no time!
Read More: 26 Brilliant Yorkshire Sayings That Would Confuse Non-Yorkshire Folk
