Yorkshire sayings, slang and dialect and the meanings behind them ahead of Yorkshire Day 2023

The Yorkshire dialect, known as Broad Yorkshire, Tyke, Yorkie or Yorkshire English, is rooted in Old English and is influenced by Old Norse.

Sadly, the use of Yorkshire dialect is dwindling and facing extinction, but organisations such as The Yorkshire Dialect Society and the East Riding Dialect Society try to keep the language alive and promote its use.

A major event that exists to highlight Yorkshire, its culture, economic impact and dialect, is Yorkshire Day on August 1. This year it falls on a Tuesday.

Yorkshire slang, dialect and sayings and their meanings

1 - “If ivver tha does owt fer nowt – Allus do it fer thissen”

Translation: If ever you do anything for nothing – always do it for yourself.

2 - “Ne'er cast a clout 'till May be out”

Translation: Don't take your winter clothes off too soon.

3 - “Stop being so mardy”

Translation: When someone is being ‘mardy’, this means moody or sulky.

4 - “That's neither use nor ornament”

Translation: Something that serves no purpose and does not look good.

5 - “Put Wood Int' 'Ole”

Translation: Shut the door.

6 - “Frame thisen”

Translation: Hurry up or get on with it.

7 - “Chuffed”

Translation: If you are ‘chuffed’, this means you are extremely happy or ‘over the moon’.

8 - “Ey up”

Translation: Hello, hey, hi.

9 - “Eh by gum”

Translation: 'Gosh! ', 'Cor', 'Oh my God' or 'By gum'.

10 - “Doylum”

Translation: Idiot or fool.

11 - “You won't get owt for nowt”

Translation: You won't get something for nothing.

12 - “Proper gander”

Translation: To take a closer look.

13 - Laikin’/ Larkin‘

Translation: Whether someone is playing out or not, or if they’re been silly.

14 - “Be ryt/reet”

Translation: It will be alright.

15 - Chuffin’

Translation: This is a different definition to ‘chuffed’, this is a Yorkshire way of using the F-word without using it.