Interesting stuff.

I think the many colloquialisms (I had to spell-check that!) come from our having been invaded so many times in the last century. Lol.

I speak as a northerner (Yorkshireman) wont to put a t in front of things; e.g. booked it on t’internet (made famous by a Northern comedian called Peter Kay, as is the expression “‘ave it!”)

Some non-native English speakers go to places like Liverpool or Newcastle or even Birmingham and literally think they are listening to a new language!

Boring John (nom de plume)

PS It’s ‘mucking about’, not ‘murking about’

in other words… “you know nowt, so shut thi’ cake’ole!”

ah well, as we yorkshire folk say ” you can allways tell a yorkshireman…but tha can’t tell i’m much!!”

also, a few years ago my sister in law wrote for the “rothwell advertiser”, a free sheet newspaper, one of her headlines was “have-go-hero thrown in pond!” after some old lad confronted some hooligans and you can work out the rest….

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Great post. I too would love to hear them used. I’ve always found UK english (that sounds so simplistic) so intriguing, what with all the different accents and colloquialisms.

And LOL at your thoughts on piss up!! I’m going to have to use that on someone soon!

Too cold to think of cockney examples for you.

After reading your and milo’s posts, though, I must admit I’m a mere dilettante

it’s a pity the States doesn’t seem to have as many interesting expressions (or else they live in those towns where the locals carry guns, the dogs attack, and I stay away!)

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