Lancashire Idiomatic Expressions

idiom: a phrase or expression that means something different from what the words actually say (for example, using the phrase “It's all up brew from 'ere” instead of “It gets more difficult from this point on”).

The Lancashire dialect is full of phrases and words that reflect the landscape of the county and the character of the people. These are just some of the more entertaining ones.

He can get where water can't

There is no limit to his ability

Muck or nettles

All or nothing

Peas above sticks

Ideas above your station

Stopped for bobbins

Unable to complete the task through lack of material

Throw your cap in

Give up

Owt above t'grass

Anything is allowed

It's fair welterin'

It's raining pretty hard

Stop traipsin' abaht

Stop just moving about with no apparent purpose

Ah've oerfaced misen

I have eaten too much food

Ees teet t'do it!

He is bound to do it

Shape thisen!

Behave properly!

Sithee

I'll see you soon

Ee fell all of a rook

He fell in a heap

Ah've getten nowt un no am nowt!

I have got nothing and now I am annoyed

Ah've nobbut geet theer

I've almost arrived there.

Tha mun! Tha caunt do owt else!

You must do. You have no other choice.

We might get gradely warm at last, ee by gum bur ahm cowd.

We might get really warm at last, goodness me, I'm cold

Er keeps harpin' on abaht it.

She refers to it incessantly

If ah dunt go no, ah'll find misen in Dickie's Meadow

If I don't leave now, I'll be in trouble

Clap owd o this, lad

Catch this, son

Ay up, ar kid

Hail fellow, well met

Ast binmon bin mam?

Has the refuse collection operative collected the refuse yet, mother?

Side t'table, ar kid.

Please be so kind as to remove the plates and other things from the dining table now we have finished the meal, young man

Ah'm sogginwetthrew

I am soaking wet.