If you’re new to the UK, Yorkshire accents and slang can sound like an entirely different language. So, here's the YorkGen guide, from "Mardy" to "Gipping".
Every corner of the UK has its own lingo, but when you’re out of your depth, even a simple conversation can feel like you’ve wandered into an alien dialect. For those of you who find yourselves lost in translation from time to time, here’s a handy guide to some of Yorkshire’s finest slang to help you along the way.
First up: Mardy
To quote the Arctic Monkeys, you’re mardy when you’ve got a face on. In other words, you’re in a mood. Mardy is the go-to term for describing that perpetually grumpy neighbour who treats smiling like it's an Olympic sport they're just not qualified for. Or maybe it's your parent on one of those days when the slightest thing sets them off. Basically, if someone’s sulking, huffing, or generally behaving like the world’s out to get them, Yorkshire folk will call them mardy.
In a sentence: "See Julie over there? She’s a right mardy arse."
How to Say Hello: Ey’up!
If you’re trying to start a conversation, it’s a good idea to master a classic Yorkshire greeting. Instead of a simple “hello,” try adding ey’up to your vocabulary. This is a friendly, informal greeting, often accompanied by a pet name or term of endearment like duck or love. It’s warm, welcoming, and used affectionately, so don’t be surprised if you hear it from a complete stranger.
In a sentence:"Ey’up, duck! How’s it going?"
The Yorkshire Comfort: "It’ll Be Reet" (and Gipping)
You’ve nailed the art of saying hello, and you can now spot a mardy person from a mile away. But don’t get too comfortable just yet. Picture this: you’ve been on a night out, and your friend starts turning that delightful shade of green that says, "This isn’t going to end well." If someone leans over and reassures you with, "It’ll be reet, you just need to gip up," don’t freak out - let me decode it for you.
Gip means to throw up, hurl, or - as the Aussies would say - chunder. Yep, yet another word for an activity that already has far too many names. The first time I heard it, I’d been living in Yorkshire for three years and was convinced my co-worker was winding me up. Spoiler: she wasn’t. Somehow, Yorkshire folk have managed to make even vomiting sound quaint. And as for it’ll be reet, that’s the local equivalent of "everything will be okay." You’ll hear this comforting phrase across Yorkshire, though it might morph into reet down south, or even reight if you’re venturing further afield.
In a sentence:"It’ll be reet, you just need to gip up!"
Reflexives: Yersen, Hissen, and More
Now, let’s talk about Yorkshire reflexives - words like yourself, himself, and herself. In Yorkshire, the reflexive pronouns get a unique twist, replacing self with sen. Don’t ask why, just go with it. Look after yourself becomes look after yersen. It might not look like proper English, but it’s charming in its own way.
In a sentence:"Take care of yersen, mate!"
Chuffed and Barmpot: The Spectrum of Emotions
Here’s a word you might already know: chuffed. It means you’re excited, thrilled, over the moon. This one’s a no-brainer, unless you’re a barmpot. And what’s a barmpot, you ask? It’s Yorkshire slang for someone who’s a bit bonkers - a crazy person, but often in a lovable, quirky way. It’s like calling someone a weirdo, but with affection.
In a sentence:"I’m proper chuffed with this cuppa!"
"Don’t mind him, he’s just a bit of a barmpot."
Wrap It Up: Get Yersen Out There!
Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to get yersen out there and start practicing your new vocabulary. Maybe hold off on calling people mardy arses or barmpots right away - settling in with the locals might be a better first step. But don’t worry, it’ll be reet! Before long, you’ll be nattering away like a true Yorkshire native.
Comments