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?
13. Nadgy
Used when you are having a go at somebody for being stroppy. | Other 3rd Party Photo: Shutterstock
14. You'd skin a fart and go back for a smell
Yorkshire folk are known for being thrifty, but this phrase is said to someone who is particularly tight. | Other 3rd Party Photo: Shutterstock