Ahh the North East language - there's truly nothing like it. From 'canny' to 'aye' and from 'radge' to 'gan' - it truly takes on its own dialect. 

While this list isn't definitive by any stretch of the imagination, and some words do blend into language from Yorkshire and the North West too - these common phrases are still around today. 

We’ve pulled together some of the most common phrases and words that we can think of. 

However, do give us a hand with contributing more in the comment section. 

These are our top North East 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.

Bonny:

Meaning: Beautiful

Usage: “That’s a bonny lass owa there”

Lad and lass or laddie and lassie

Meaning: boy and girl

Usage: “That toilet is for laddies and that toilet is for lassies”

Mortal

Meaning drunk:

Usage: “Am gannin doon toon the neet, ganna get mortal.”

Canny

Meaning: He’s a really nice person

Usage: “A luv wor lad (boyfriend), he’s geet canny as oot like.”

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?”

Areet wor kid?

Meaning: Hello

Usage: “Areet wor kid, how ye doin’?”

This comes after a 2021 study, which saw experts warn that northern accents could die out in years to come.

It is feared that within just 45 years south eastern English pronunciations will be used across the UK. 

Recommended:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. With our latest deal you can pay £3 for three months, or get 40% off a 12-month subscription. Click here.

From Whey Aye man to Eeh Bah Gum, the North is famous for its unique vocabulary and range of accents. 

But scientists at Portsmouth and Cambridge universities found that the south eastern pronunciation of many words is slowly overtaking northern and western pronunciations.

Words like ‘strut’ which currently rhyme with ‘foot’ in northern England will stop rhyming, and the pirate`arrr’ in`farm’ will disappear from the south west. 

However, the scientists predict certain north-south differences will remain: we will continue to disagree about the pronunciation of `bath’.