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 most 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 aim 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 is made up of several variations spoken across God’s Own Country and has its 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:
1. Laikin’/ Larkin‘ – Yorkshire accent
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?”
2. Bray
To hit someone or to grind something into small pieces.
“‘ere dickhead come ‘ere or I’ll bray yer.”
3. Mardy – Yorkshire words and Phrases
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”
4. 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. Usuallt followed with a response of “pint?”
“Cars broken down, be reyt”
“Pint?”
“Aye”
5. Ey up
The Yorkshire greeting. When to Yorkshire folk meet this is one of many non-sensical 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.”
6. 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!.”
7. 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”
8. Butty – Yorkshire Slang
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.”
9. Lug ‘ole
Usually used by parents with reference to the ears.
“Keep on goin’ like that an’ you’ll get a clip roun’ t’ lug ‘ole”
10. 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”
11. 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.”
12. Put t’wood in t’oil
Means shut the bloody door, it’s freezing.
“Put t’wood in t’oil yer bugger.”
13. Guwin 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.”
16. Thee, tha, thou
Usually referring to one person, this is a Yorkshire term for you.
“Does tha fancy another pint?”
17. Nesh
Nesh means to feel the cold. Something Northern folk rarely do, but on that occassion we’d say that.
“Nesh bugger, it’s only 6 degrees.”
18. Maftin
When the sun pokes its head out and every person in Yorkshire starts seating. Maftin usually refers to being well hot.
“It’s bloody maftin’ in here.”
19. Nithered
What everyone feels when they’re sat in a beer garden in April.
“Turn the heating on, I’m nithered.”
20. Anno
No this isn’t some biblical word, this is how Yorkshire folk say “I know”
“Anno, us Yorkshire folk can be tight.”
21. Radge
Generally used to describe someone that is crazy, or violent and angry.
“That fight last night were radged.”
22. Down Town
How a Yorkshire person says they’re going into the city centre
“Am off down town, want owt?”
23. 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!”
24. Coyt
How Yorkshire folk say coat.
“You won’t need yer coyt, it’s only -6 degrees.”
25. 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.”
26. ‘Ow do
A Yorkshire greeting. Usually a reciprocal response of “‘ow do.”
“Nar then, ‘ow do”
27. Nowt/ Owt
Two similar sounds with opposite meanings. Nowt means nothing and owt means anything.
“Well, what is it? Owt ot nowt?
28. 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.”
29. Mooch
What Yorkshire folk say instead of walk or wander.
“Fancy a mooch into town?”
30. ‘Ow Much
The Yorkshire cry can be usually heard when something is expensive. It’s best to be shouted.
“‘Ow muuuuchhh.”
31. Morngy
Another great word to describe someone being an arsey bugger.
“What’s up your arse you morngy bastard.”
32. Manky
The best way to describe the word manky is the when you put your hand in a sink and remove all the soggy food. That’s manky.
“Eeerrgh, that’s manky.”
33. Gip
The act of being physically sick.
“When someone mentions puttin gthe milk in a brew first it makes me gip.”
34. C’unt
no we aren’t swearing at you. Us Yorkshire folk like to shorten our words which means couldn’t gets shorteneed to well c’unt.
“I c’unt get a seat in the boozer.”
35. Wang
No it’s not an innuendo. Wang means to throw or toss.
“Wang it ova there, bor.”
36. Sup wier
How Yorkshire mum’s as what’s up to their children when they’re tring to scive school.
“Tha’s nowt wrong wier ya. Sup wier?”
37. Eeh by Gum
The Yorkshire way of saying oh my gosh.
“Eeh by gum, it’s bloody freezing out.!
38. Arse End
means in the middle of nowhere.
“It’s in the arse end of the universe.”
39. Bagsy
To claim something for yourselfin a Yorkshire accent.
“Turn around, touch the ground, bagsy not it.”
40. Twagging/Wagging
To bunk off school.
41. Chorers
Townies or chavs, a slang term for them.
42. Gander
To have a look for something.
“Let’s have a gander.”
43. Kegs
A term for your underwear.
“I haven’t got any clean kegs.”
44. Lamp
Tp punch someone.
“Keep going and I’ll lamp ya.”
45. Monk On – Yorkshire accent
When the wife is being arsey.
“She’s got a reyt monk on.”
46. Mack Off
Origniating for East Yorkshire, it means if something is huge.
“That’s a mack off sarnie.”
47. Now Then/ Now Bor
How Yorkshire folk greet each other.
“Now then, daft lad.”
48. Reyt Good
Yorkshire Slang for that’s really good. One of the most common used Yorkshire slang words in our house.
That’s reyt good tha’.”
49. Ta’ra
See you later
“Ta’ra, love.”
50. Si’thi’
See you later.
“Ta’ra.”
“Si’thi.”
51. Tha Sen
How Yorkshire folk say Yourself.
“Keep tha hands t’ tha sen.”
52. Arse Over Tit
If you’ve ever fallen on your arse, then some Yorkshire folk might say when someone has fallen hard.
53. 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.
54. Bray
If you’re looking for a fight in Yorkshire, the Yorkshire slang for a fight is to bray someone.
55. Wazzock
If you’ve been called one of these in Yorkshire, someone think you’re an idiot of a fool.
56. Snap
Food.
“What ya got for yer snap?”
57. Sling Yer Hook
This means to get lost or go away.
“Sling yer hook, yer not wolcome ‘ere”.
58. Reyt As Rain
If your feeling positive and happy.
“Aye, I’m reyt as rain, thanks”.
59. Tin Tin Tin
If someone is can’t find what there looking for in the tin.
” Tin, tin tin”
60. Cock/ Cocker
A term of endearment.
“Now then, me old cocker.”
61. Ruering
When a baby or child is crying.
“Quit yer ruering”.
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’s famous for. Getting to grips with these 61 one-of-a-kind words and phrases give 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
