Dialect/slang

[Si]

I'm fast for summat to do.

[Lilysmum]

I'm fed up to t' back teeth (of sofa ads on the telly!)

[Uno Hoo]

Never really understood why "starved to deeeath" means cold. But "laik" seems to be in common use across most of West Yorkshire (in my experience).

[Trojan]

Uno Hoo wrote: Never really understood why "starved to deeeath" means cold. But "laik" seems to be in common use across most of West Yorkshire (in my experience). I think "starving cold" is a common expression.

[TMcP]

I have just been sat here for the last hour reading some of your messages and I have had a real trip down memory lane. I have decided to start using more of the sayings my mum used so that my children will remember them cos its such a shame if they are forgotten. I grew up in Birstall and I remember my mum using the saying 'like piffy on a flat cake' to mean feeling usless or left out, as in 'I was standing there like piffy on a flat cake' or some times she would just say 'Like piffy'. She told me it ment the steam rising off a cow pat.I have just googled the saying and it came up with piffy on a rock bun.I have noticed many comments regarding lakin and have to say that it was, and still is, used around Birstall. I was also interested to see a sign in Norway that warned motorists of 'Bairns laken' to mean children playing out ,so these words obviously go back to Viking times

[Trojan]

TMcP wrote: I have just been sat here for the last hour reading some of your messages and I have had a real trip down memory lane. I have decided to start using more of the sayings my mum used so that my children will remember them cos its such a shame if they are forgotten. I grew up in Birstall and I remember my mum using the saying 'like piffy on a flat cake' to mean feeling usless or left out, as in 'I was standing there like piffy on a flat cake' or some times she would just say 'Like piffy'. She told me it ment the steam rising off a cow pat.I have just googled the saying and it came up with piffy on a rock bun.I have noticed many comments regarding lakin and have to say that it was, and still is, used around Birstall. I was also interested to see a sign in Norway that warned motorists of 'Bairns laken' to mean children playing out ,so these words obviously go back to Viking times Barn is definitely the Danish, Swedish and Norwegian word for a child - I've just Googled it. Same goes for lek. Gate is the name for a street. "A ter laikin' or warkin" was fairly common in Morley when I was growing up over fifty years ago - are you working or playing (not working)The other expression I remember is "loisin'" As in "t'pictures (t'pubs, t' mills) is loising" = people are coming out of the pictures etc.

[dogduke]

One that cropped up recently on t.v.A bit nesh     sort of not up to much.Might have been in A Passionate Woman by Kaye Mellor

[Bramleygal]

This may have been mentioned before, but my Gran used to refer to a well-dressed person as "Done up like a dog's dinner." What was that all about?

[jim]

Here are three I remember from my apprenticeship in the fifties :-"Coom on claart'eeard, lets be 'avin' yer!"--It's time we started work."Ther's nowt got wi' rushin' 'cept chance bairns!"--I think you should stop and consider before proceeding. "Nicely shi**en-----and clois ter't wall!"---( friendly but sarcastic)---I think you've just stated the blindingly obvious. All from Leeds 12 fitters.

[Armley Lass 47]

To Laik was always mentioned in our house in Armley. We always played Tig and not Tag, the midden was always outside as it is in Norway (dustbin area). I went chumping every year in time for Bonfire nightI always had a peff - coughHe doesnt frame - he never does things correctlyScratting - fussing over domestic detailsits slack at the moment - not enough employmentonny abit like - barely tolerableee-by gum - exclamation!! lughole - earAye it is that! - AmenI reckon if we went to Norway that you would understand at least a quarter of their language just because you know and have heard Yorkshire.