Yorkshire has its own language. If you’re not from around these parts, you might not understand what we’re saying. Here are over 100 sayings you’ll only hear if you’re in Yorkshire!
Ritchie is Yorkshire was born and bred, sharing some local dialect.
Yorkshire, England
Yorkshire Regional Language
Yorkshire is the largest county in England geographically and is located in the northern region of the country. The area has a long and fascinating history, and basically, a language of its own. If you’re not from around these parts, you might not understand what we’re saying.
Here are 100 Yorkshire sayings that you’ll only hear if you’re from Yorkshire!
1. “Reet, pet!” – This means “right, mate!” or “yes, sir!” and is used to agree with someone or show that you understand them.
2. “Owt for nowt and nowt for owt.” – This means you only get something if you give something in return. You can’t just take without giving anything back.
3. “Tha’s reet mardy!” – This means “you’re right, grumpy!” and is used to describe someone who is acting like a spoilt child.
4. “Ee by gum!” – This is used to express surprise or amazement, and can be translated to “oh my goodness!”
5. “Gizza bag o’ sweeties!” – This means “give me a bag of sweets!” and is often used by children to beg for sweets from their parents or older siblings.
6. “Play up, and tha’ll get nowt!” – This is a warning to misbehaving children that they will get nothing if they don’t stop their bad behaviour.
7. “Tha looks like thi face has been dragged through a hedge backwards!”– This is not a compliment! It means that you look really messy and dishevelled.
8. “Tha’s nowt but a bag o’ bones!” – This is another way of saying that someone is very thin and could do with eating a bit more.
9. “Where there’s muck, there’s brass.” – This means that if you are willing to get your hands dirty, you can make some money from it.
10. “A watched kettle never boils.” – This means that time seems to pass more slowly when you are waiting for something to happen, such as the kettle boiling.
11. “I’ll go t’foot of our stairs!” – This is another way of expressing surprise or disbelief, and can be translated to “I can’t believe it!”
12. “Gannin’ oer ‘ead like a lather!” – This means that you are working yourself up into a frenzy, like a dog shaking off soap suds.
13. “Tha needs t’get thee sen sorted!” – This means that you need to sort yourself out and get your act together.
14. “Tha’s nowt but skin and bone!” – See number 8!
15. “Gizza peace!” – This means “give me some peace!” and is used when you want someone to stop bothering you or leave you alone.
16. “Tha’s nowt but a lazy article!” – This is another way of saying that someone is lazy and doesn’t want to do anything.
17. “Tha needs t’get a move on!” – This means that you need to hurry up and get going.
18. “Reckon tha could do wi’ losing a bit o’ weight!” – This is a polite way of saying that someone could stand to lose a few pounds.
19.“What’s up wi’ thee?” – This means “what’s wrong with you?” and is used when someone seems to be acting strange or out of character.
20. “Now then, lass!” – This is a friendly greeting, equivalent to “hello, young lady!”
Yorkshire, England
21. “Ta ra, chuck!” – This means “goodbye, mate!” and is used as a friendly farewell.
22. “Ee, by gum! Tha looks like death warmed up!” – This means that you look really pale and sickly.
23. “Tha needs t’get some colour in thee sen!” – See number 22!
24. “Tha needs t’get oot more!” – This means that you need to get out of the house and do something, as you’re looking a bit pale and cabin feverish.
25. “Are tha alright, chuck? Tha looks peaky!” – This means “are you okay, mate? You look a bit sick.”
26. “Tha looks like tha could do wi’ some proper food!” – This is another way of saying that someone is too thin and needs to eat more.
27. “Put summat warmon or tha’ll catch thy death!” – This means “put something warm on or you’ll catch a cold!” and is used as a warning to someone who is not dressed warmly enough.
28. “Tha should eat summat, tha looks half starved!” – See number 26!
29. “Tha looks frozen! Get thee sen inside afore tha catches tha death o’ cold!” – See number 27!
30. “A right little monkey, tha art!” – This means that you are a mischievous child who likes to get into trouble.
31. “Tha’s a right little terror, tha is!” – See number 30!
32. “Ee, by gum, tha’s a right one for getting into trouble!” – See number 30!
33. “Gizza kiss, then!” – This means “give me a kiss!” and is often used as a friendly greeting or farewell.
34. “How do, love!” – This is another way of saying “hello, dear!” and is used as a friendly greeting.
35. “Alright, me duck?” – This is yet another way of saying “hello, dear!” and is used as a friendly greeting.
36. “Ta, love!” – This means “thank you, dear!” and is used as a friendly way of thanking someone.
37. “Cheerio, then!” – This means “goodbye!” and is used as a friendly farewell.
38. “See thee later, alligator!” – This is a child-friendly way of saying “goodbye!”
39. “I’ll be seein’ thee!” – This means “I’ll be seeing you!” and is used as a friendly farewell.
40. “Take care, now!” – This means “be careful!” and is used as a friendly warning or farewell.
41. “Watch out for them there steps!” – This means “be careful on those stairs!” and is used as a friendly warning.
42. “I reckon tha could do wi’ a cuppa tea!” – This means “I think you could use a cup of tea!” and is often used as a way of offering someone a cup of tea.
43. “Sit thee sen down afore tha falls down!” – This means “sit down before you fall down!” and is used as a friendly warning to someone who looks like they might be about to faint.
44. “Tha looks fair worn out!” – This means “you look really tired!” and is used as a friendly observation.
45. “Tha could do wi’ summat t’eat, tha must be starving!” – See number 42!
46. “Tha could do wi’ a pint, I reckon!” – This means, “I think you could use a pint!” and is often used as a way of offering someone a drink.
47. “Ee, by gum, tha looks ready t’drop!”– This means “you look really exhausted!” and is used as a friendly observation.
48. “Tha looks like tha could do wi’ a lie down!” – See number 47!
49. “Tha looks knackered!” – This means “you look really tired!” and is used as a friendly observation.
50. “Tha needs t’get some sleep, tha does!” – See number 49!
Yorkshire, England
Shorter Yorkshire Sayings
1. “Eee, tha’s reet!” – That’s right!
2. “Nah then, how do?” – Hello, how are you?
3. “Reet, pet?” – Okay, mate?
4. “Tha looks dead on!” – You look great!
5. “Gizza job!”– Give me a job!
6. “I’m brassic!” – I’m broke!
7. “Where tha bahn?” – Where are you going?
8. “Yer mam!” – Your mother! (Can be used as an exclamation or insult)
9. “Eee, by ‘eck!” – Wow, wowzers, etc.
10. “I cud eat a horse!” – I’m starving!
11. “Tha doesn’t half talk some rubbish!” – You talk nonsense!
12. “Reet, chuck?” – Alright, love?
13. “Gannin’ oer t’mill?” – Going to the pub?
14. “Tha can talk!” – You can say that again! / I’ve heard it all before!
15. “How do, how do, possessionary act!” – How are you, legal term for ownership of property!
16. “I’ll gizza thumpin’”– I’ll give you a beating
17. “Ah’ll go t’foot of our stairs!” – I’m surprised
18. “Eee by gum!” – another way of saying “wow”19. “Tha’s nowt but a nowt!” – you’re nothing
20. “I’ll gi’ thee nowt!” – I won’t give you anything
21. “Now then, our kid!” – another way of saying “hello”
22. “Eee, tha’s a bit handy wi’ thysen!” – you’re good at that!
23. “Tha’s reet mazed!” – you’re right, I am confused
24. “Are ta comin’ oot t’play?” – are you coming out to play?
25. “Imissens when ah’m not wiv yer” – I miss you when I’m not withyou
26. “Are ta reet in th’ead?” – are you right in the head?
27. “Ta ma’ me laugh!” – you make me laugh
28. “Giz a deek in thy bag” – can I see what’s in your bag?
29. “Whey aye man!” – yes man!
30. “Nah then, me duck!” – another way of saying hello to a female
31. “Ey up, mi Duck!” – another way of saying hello
32. “‘Appen yer kna nowt abaht it!” – perhaps you don’t know anything about it!
33. “Youse lot!” – you people!
34. “Yer daft apeth!” – you stupid monkey!
35. “Eee, tha’s a reet little madam/lad!” – you’re a right little madam/lad!
36. “Tha’s gerrin’ on me wick!” – you’re getting on my nerves!
37. “Ah’m fair puffed out!” – I’m very tired
38. “Reckon yer’ll be wantin’ ta get reet in t’bath, man!” – I think you need to have a bath!
39. “Ta giz a kiss!” – give me a kiss!
40. “Gannin doont’market?” – going to the market?
41. “Eee, ta looks reet bobbins!” – you look rubbish!
42. “I’ll tell thee what, our kid…” – I’ll tell you what, mate…
43. “Oh, stop it tha!’ – oh,stop it!
44. “Tha’s a bit of alright!” – you’re attractive!
45. “Gannin’ up t’town?” – going to the town centre?
46. “Have tha seen our Susie?” – have you seen our Susie?
47. “Yer cannae do that, man!” – you can’t do that!
48. “Tha’s well out o’ order!” – you’re out of order!
49. “Gizza shout when tha gets t’end o’ this ‘un!” – give me a shout when you get to the end of this one!
50. “Where’s thee bin?” – where have you been?
51. “Get thee sen doon!” – sit down!
52. “Eee, ta’s a bonny bairn!” – you’re a beautiful baby!
53. “Yer’ll gerrin me eye!” – you’ll get in my way!
54. “Ah’m fair rahmed!” – I’m very thirsty
55. “Gannin’ doon t’pit?” – going to the coal mine?
56. “Nah then, love/chuck” – hello, my love/ mate
57. “Yer’ll ‘ave ter speak up, our kid!” – you’ll have to speak up, mate!
58. “Gizza wave, our kid!” – give me a wave, mate!
59. “Ta giz a look at that!” – take a look at that!
60. “Tha’s not arf mucky!” – you’re very dirty!
61. “‘Ere, tha!’ – hey, you!
62. “Gizza hug!” – give me a hug!
63. “Where’s this gannin’, then?” – where is this going?
64. “Get thee sen ‘ome!” – go home!
65. “Eee, tha’s a reet little character, aren’t ta?” – you’re quite a character, aren’t you?
66. “Gizza kiss!” – give me a kiss!
67. “Yer can’t ‘elp it, our kid!” – you can’t help it, mate!
68. “‘Ere, tha!’ – hey, you!
69. “Let’s ‘ave a deek!” -let’s have a look!
70. “Yer’ll be wantin’ ta get that sorted, our kid!” – you’ll want to get that sorted, mate!
71. “Get thee sen off t’moon!” – go away!
72. “Are ta summat daft?” – are you something stupid?
73. “Gizza shout when tha gets t’end of this ‘un!” – give me a shout when you get to the end of this one!
74. ” where’s thee bin?” – where have you been?
75. “Get thee sen doon!” – sit down!
76. “Eee, ta’s a bonny bairn!” – you’re a beautiful baby!
77. “Yer’ll gerrin me eye!” – you’ll get in my way!
78. “Ah’m fair rahmed!” – I’m very thirsty
79. “Gannin’ doon t’pit?” – going to the coal mine?
80. “Nah then, love/chuck” – hello, my love/ mate
81. “Yer’ll ‘ave ter speak up, our kid!” – you’ll have to speak up, mate!
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2022 Ritchie Hughie
