To those who live here, there is nothing unusual about the way we speak, but the Yorkshire dialect is often thought of as simple speech for simple folk. But it has a long and ancient history, with many words reflective of the language used by the Angles, Saxons and Vikings, and most of the distinctive words date back to when the Romans left Britain around 400AD. The Angles laid the first foundations of the Yorkshire dialect and it still retains many old words that have since been discarded from Standard English. Key characteristics include shorted vowel sounds, dropped ‘h’ and ‘g’ sounds at the start and end of words, and the letter ‘t’ generally being half pronounced, or dropped all together. The unique turn of phrase has brought with it a number of classic insults over the years that only true Yorkshire folk can deliver with such passion, fury and annoyance. How many of these do you know?
5. Tosspot
Now more widely synonymous with ‘idiot’, this word can also be used to describe someone who is obnoxious, irritating, drunken, or as an extension of ‘tosser’, meaning a man who masterbates. | Other 3rd Party Photo: Shutterstock
6. Nesh
Used to insult someone who is either afraid of the cold, or feels the cold even when it’s warm. For example, “it’s not cold, you nesh sod!” | Other 3rd Party Photo: Shutterstock
7. Twonk
Another fairly inoffensive slang insult, which has similar connotations to ‘idiot’. | Other 3rd Party Photo: Shutterstock
8. Rattles like a can o' mabs
A slightly older turn of phrase which is used to describe somebody who talk too much. | Other 3rd Party Photo: Shutterstock