What it means
La is a Scouse way of calling someone mate or lad, and it also works as a little tag at the end of a sentence to keep it friendly. You’ll hear it said to anyone, not just blokes, even though it sounds like lad. It can soften a request, add emphasis, or just fill the gap like verbal seasoning.
Usage examples
"Alright la, I’m nipping the chippy before the match, you coming or you staying in, chatting rubbish with your ma again?"
"Alright la, you coming the match this weekend or what?"
"Cheers for that, la, you've saved me a right headache."
Where it comes from
Scouse shorthand that most likely grew out of lad, worn down to a single warm syllable. Liverpool flung it at everyone, not just blokes, until it became less a word and more a friendly tag you sprinkle through a sentence to keep things matey.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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