Old local expressions

[Retlaw]

Quote:
Originally Posted by garinda
Re: Nori bricks, my Dad never really swore, when we'd pushed him too far he'd say 'Bloody Nori', not really swearing as the bricks are red.

That swear word is Bloody Norah.
Nowt to do wi nori bricks, but don't ask me where it comes from.
Retlaw.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Retlaw

Quote:
Originally Posted by garinda
Re: Nori bricks, my Dad never really swore, when we'd pushed him too far he'd say 'Bloody Nori', not really swearing as the bricks are red.

That swear word is Bloody Norah.
Nowt to do wi nori bricks, but don't ask me where it comes from.
Retlaw.

Agreed. It was only a thought, because unlike bloody nora/flaming nora, it was pronounced nori locally.

Certainly in my primary school days.

[MargaretR]

I still use an expression I recall from my childhood.
'play the white man'

It may seem racist by todays standards.
I think it derived from the days of playing cowboys and indians as a child.

I use it to address inanimate objects that are not co-operating
eg - when a jar doesn't unscrew as it should

[garinda]

Dozy lummox - a stupid person.

[garinda]

'Couldn't stop a pig in a ginnel' - A bow-legged person.

[garinda]

Slutch - dirt, generally mud.

[garinda]

As black as fire back - very dark.

[garinda]

'Stop traipsin' abaht' - Stop moving about with no apparent purpose.

'Ah've oerfaced misen' - I have eaten too much.

'Ah'm sogginwetthrew' - I am soaking wet.

'Stopped for bobbins' - Unable to complete the task through lack of material.

'Throw your cap in' - Give up.

'Shape thisen!' - Behave properly!

'Yon mon keeps harpin' on abaht it' - He refers to it incessantly

[garinda]

'Nobbut a cockstride' - Near, not very far.

'A reet wet Nelly' - An ineffectual, weak, or sentimental person.

[garinda]

'Tha can allus tell a Yorkshireman, but tha can't tell 'im much!' - Self-explanatory.

[garinda]

'Can't sing fer toffee' - Not a naturally talented vocalist.

[garinda]

Jip - trouble.

'Mi leg's givin' mi jip agen.'

[Stumped]

Originally Posted by b rawlinson

I know it isnt politically correct to use expressions like the following these days but how did the expression-he(or she) skens like a bucket of welks originate?

There was an old silent movie star named Ben Turpin of whom it was often said: 'Skenned like a bucket o' whelks.'

[Stumped]

One of my gran's favourite criticisms was to say: 'Tha's as dim as a church candle.'

[Eric]

Your eyes are greedier than your belly.