8 Of The Funniest Geordie Accent Words In Newcastle

Geordie. What is this mysterious word and where does it come from? Geordie is a regional dialect of English, which refers to a native person from Newcastle Upon Tyne or the inhabitants of the surrounding areas of Tyne and Wear. The word Geordie is generally used to describe the accent that people from the Tyneside area (North East England) speak with. This peculiar accent is certainly recognisable, funny and occasionally difficult to understand. If there is one thing all Geordies are proud of, is their accent. Here are 8 Geordie accent words that will surprise you brighten up your day. It will also function well as a dictionary/translator if you are planning to pay a visit in Newcastle and its surrounding urban areas.

1.”Whaat Fettle?” – How are you

If you every meet a Geordie who approaches you with a ‘Whaat Fettle’, don’t worry. That person is absolutely not trying to offend you or attack you with some incomprehensible offensive words that you really can’t catch or understand. ‘Whaat Fettle’ in Geordie means ‘How are you’. You wouldn’t expect this translation as the words are nowhere close to traditional English. So, if you ever hear this expression from a Northerner, don’t take it too personal, smile and respond back to them “Fine thank you”.

2.The Neet – Tonight

Another Geordie expression that will make you wonder if this dialect can actually be considered English or a completely foreign language. Seems that only the Geordie would be able to understand each other. It’s funny how a Geordie could be potentially asking you out “tonight” without you being able to say yes because you couldn’t catch the meaning of their question. Geordie, what a funny accent this is. This is another one of the Geordie accent words.

3.Howway – Come on

Contrary to what you may have though “howway” means, that is not a Geordie way to send away people they don’t like. “Howway” means “come on”. Yet another expression that is nowhere close to what you’d expect in English. If you are planning a trip in the Geordie city, this is another word you need to know about. This is yet another one of the Geordie accent words.

4.Tettie – Potato

Non-Geordies will always find this hilarious. The fact that a simple word like potato can be said in such a different way by people of the same country. This is a proof that Geordies probably share less vocabulary with the rest of Britain than the whole nation does with other countries.

5.Whey Aye – Of course

Reader out there, pay attention to this word. Contrary to what you may have thought reading this, Whey Aye is an expression that has nothing to do with either a time (when) or year (aye). It just simple means ‘Of Course’. In a sentence: “would you like to come over for dinner?” “Whey aye!”

6.He’si’ the Toon – He is in Newcastle

Newcastle is known by its inhabitants as “the toon”. Geordies call Newcastle the toon because that’s how they’d pronounce the word ‘town’. According to a lecturer of English Language at Newcastle University, this is related to the origin of the word “Tun” used in the old English spoken by the Anglo-Saxons.

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7.Varry Canny – Alright

“Varry Canny” is a Geordie way to say that everything is alright, and there is nothing the rest of the world can do about it. This Geordie expression will probably sound even more interesting than it is typed in words.

8.Gan – Go

Last but not least the Geordie word to say “Go” is “Gan”. No, the Geordie guy didn’t mean to say he’s got a GUN, he was just referring to the act of moving far away from you when he said he’s got to “gan”.

Which of these Geordie accent words have you recognized in Newcastle? Let us know in the comments below.

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