Yorkshire folk don't waste words, they're too expensive. The dialect is blunt, brilliant, and proud. If a Yorkshireman says owt nice to you, frame it. It doesn't happen often.

Summat

Up north, summat is just how folk say something, dropped into a sentence dead casual without a second thought. It pairs up nicely with owt and nowt, so you might hear do you fancy summat to eat after a long shift. It is warm, comfy and a bit cheeky, the kind of word that makes a kitchen feel like home. Use it and you sound proper Yorkshire in two seconds flat.

"Eh, put kettle on and grab us summat to eat, I have been on me feet since six and I am fair clemmed."

Twock

To steal a car, specifically for a joyride. Comes from the police acronym TWOC: Taking Without Owner's Consent. Yorkshire coppers coined it and the word leaked out into everyday speech across the North. Twocking was practically a sport for bored teenagers in the 90s. The word sounds oddly cute for what is technically grand theft auto, which somehow makes it more Yorkshire.

"Some lads twocked a Vauxhall Corsa off the estate and left it parked in a field with the hazards still on, proper effort that."

Siling

Yorkshire for pouring with rain, the heavy, relentless kind that soaks through everything in seconds. If it is siling it down, you are not going anywhere without looking like you fell in a canal. Related to the word sile which means to strain or pour. Yorkshire has about forty words for rain and this is one of the best because it sounds exactly like what it describes.

"It were siling it down all morning and the dog still wanted his walk. Came back looking like a drowned rat, both of us, hallway carpet is done for."

Ginnel

A narrow alleyway or passageway between buildings, the kind you cut through to save five minutes on the walk home. Yorkshire is full of them and fiercely protective of the word. Other regions say snicket, jitty, or alleyway, but in Yorkshire it is a ginnel and that is the end of the discussion. Often involves bins, puddles, and questionable lighting.

"Take the ginnel between the bakery and the bookies, saves you going all the way round. Watch the puddle halfway through, it has been there since 1987."

Ayup

A quick, no-fuss greeting meaning hello, alright, or what’s up. You fling it at anyone, mates, strangers, the postie, no big ceremony. Tone’s everything, it can be warm and friendly, a bit surprised, or even lightly nosy like you’ve clocked something’s gone off. Often written as ay up or ey up too.

"Ayup, you’re reyt? Tha’s made a right mess of it. Come in, stick t’kettle on then, and tell us what’s been happenin’."

Voices of the people

Theory is all well and good... but what we Magikitos really love is hearing the people of Yorkshire in their natural flow. If you know a typical expression from there, send us a voice note on WhatsApp using it with a real example. We will add it to the voices of your area!

Your basket: 0,00 € (0 products)