Vocal Voices

Jan and her daps have had me thinking all morning about the words and phrases that we all use everyday which someone from 50 miles away would be confused by.

Just a few I can think of off the top of my head.

When the boys were little and we were out I'd say "give me yer donny" and at home they would hear "wash yer donnies". Confused? Donnies are your hands. Dunno why

My Dad used to take his snap to work. That was his dinner. Quite often a piece of jam (a jam sandwich) and some cake.

If we take a long time to get somewhere or even to do something we might say that we've "been all 'round the Wrekin" in the process. The Wrekin is a hill on the ourskirts of Telford.

Having lived almost all over the country - including near the Wrekin - Wiltshire can be the a little difficult.

Casn't, is can't for example.

I'll have to ask Grumpy for a few more - he's rendering at the moment and I don't want to interrupt, I'll get "casn't now", I'm busy.

Fretting is a Yorkshire one, if I remember rightly, can't think what it means at the moment though.

Is blarting one you're familiar with Jan?

We say fretting, to mean worrying.

Mither is another I like. Think that's more northern than Midlands.

Don't get me started, I could still use an interpreter here in Glawster, even after living here for 8 years! For the first year of our relationship, I barely understood a word Mick said!

Not heard of blarting Jo.

JanB wrote:Not heard of blarting Jo.

Must be one from round here then, it means crying.

Fretting is worrying, mithering is to whine and complain.

A few more Yorkshire/Leeds

A doylum is a bit of an idiot, a gimmer is someone old and useless, and "get yer kecks on" means to hurry up.

Jo, blarting is the same as blathering up here.

I'm a Lincolnshire yellow belly

Stop skiving means get to work
And I just love Grampy Welsh for grandad

Grumpy just said

well ah.

Which I think means yes

Only because I asked him of he wanted a glass of wine with dinner.

When we first moved to the South West around 1980, I quickly "got into" the regional accent.

After a few weeks, my mother phoned us up and said: "Where was it you moved to?"
"Krukun"
"What?"
"Krukun"
Oh!"

Some time later, she phoned again:
"Just where was it you moved to?"
"Krukun"
"Your Father and I can't find it on a map"
"It's near Yeovil"
(muttered consultation behind receiver)
"We still can't find it"
"It's spelt C-R-E-W-K-E-R-N-E"
"Ah! So why did you tell us Krukun?"