There’s no denying that the North East is a rich epicentre of varied accents with their own phrases and inflections, but it’s safe to say the Geordie language takes the cake for being its own dialect.
Considering this, there’s no shortage of excellent, and historical, phrases and slang words that many in the North East use.
We’ve pulled together 20 of the best Geordie phrases used across the North East and what they mean and how they’re used.
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This is by no means a complete list and you’re more than happy to tell us if you agree or not and offer up your own favourite Geordie phrase – let us know below in the comments or using our form.
These are our top 20 Geordie words and phrases – do you agree?
Aye
Meaning: Yes
Usage: “Aye, you can have a piece of me fish”
This popular Geordie phrase has been picked up across the North East and is a well known addition to the North East dialect. Sometimes even reaching far beyond the North East.
Gan or gannin
Meaning: Going
Usage: “Aye, I’m gannin doon toon lata”
Nowt
Meaning: Nothing
Usage: “There’s nowt gannin on today.”
Another popular phrase picked up by other areas of the North East this one.
Divvent
Meaning: Don’t
Usage: “I divvent know like”
Class
Meaning: Good
Usage: “That’s propa class bait like”
Bonny:
Meaning: Beautiful
Usage: “That’s a bonny lass owa there”
Knackered
Meaning: Tired
Usage: “Had a late neet last neet, so I’m knackered”
Lad and lass or laddie and lassie
Meaning: boy and girl
Usage: “That toilet is for laddies and that toilet is for lassies”
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Reet
Meaning: Right
Usage: “Put that doon reet now” sometimes used as “A ya alreet?”
Mortal
Meaning drunk:
Usage: “Am gannin doon toon the neet, ganna get mortal.”
Cheers pet
Meaning: Thanks
Usage: “Pass me bait, cheers pet.”
He’s geet canny as oot
Meaning: He’s a really nice person
Usage: “A luv wor lad (boyfriend), he’s geet canny as oot like.”
A luv yee pet
Meaning: I love you
Usage: “Divvent be gannin, a luv yee pet.”
Howay man
Meaning: Come on!
Usage: “Howay man ref, that’s a penalty!”
Are yee daft?
Meaning: Are you stupid
Usage: “Na man, I divvent want it, are yee daft?”
Whey aye man
Meaning: Yes
Usage: “Dee I want a cuppa? Whey aye man.”
Canny good like
Meaning: Good
Usage: “That beer’s canny good like”
Divvent get is wrang pet
Meaning: Don’t get me wrong
Usage: “Divvent get is wrang pet, I like spicey food as much as any lad, but…”
He was gan propa radge
Meaning: He was getting really angry
Usage: “After having the curry he was gan propa radge.”
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Areet wor kid?
Meaning: Hello
Usage: “Areet wor kid, how ye doin’?”
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