The Birmingham accent is finally being appreciated for all its quirks and unique sayings and I for one am proud to have a Brummie accent!
Even if the Black Country dialect is mistaken as Brummie far too often, it's completely different and almost a language in it's own right which is brilliant, once you get your head round it it's a fun dialect that's packed with humour and it's own unique sayings.
Most of my family are from the Black Country and so I know only too well how much it irritates them when people ask if they're from Birmingham.
As a Brummie it can sometimes be annoying when people don't know the difference between a Brummie and Black Country accent as we know there are clear differences between the two.
Here's a quick cheat sheet to help you understand what the locals are saying when you visit Birmingham.
Brummie sayings;
Alright Bab - How are you
0121 do one - Get lost!
Face as long as Livery Street – an unhappy face, Livery Street is really long.
Ain't - Is not
Ark at that! - Listen to that
Bab - a term of endearment to a female
Back of Rackhams – an insult, as the back of Rackhams was a red light area
Tara a bit - See you later
Black over Bill’s mother’s – if dark clouds are looming. Bill is William Shakespeare and it's a term used to say the rain clouds are coming in from Stratford-upon-Avon
Bonce – your head.
Bost – it’s broken.
The buzz – the bus.
Cack-handed – a clumsy way of doing something.
Cob – bread roll.
Council pop – tap water.
Deff it – to not do something.
Ee-yar – here you are
Ent – it is not.
Entry – the alley between terraced houses.
Fizzy pop – a fizzy drink.
Gambol – a forward roll.
Gully – an alleyway, or space round the back of houses.
Having a Benny – to throw a strop.
Island – a roundabout.
Leg it – run away.
Mither/Myther – pestering someone.
Mooch – have a look around.
Munch – to hug/cuddle
Nause – someone who makes a mess of something / annoying person.
Outdoor/Offie – the off licence.
.Pop – squash; not to be confused with fizzy drinks.
Rezza – the reservoir, most likely Edgbaston.
Round the Wrekin – going the long way around (after the Wrekin Hills in Shropshire)
Tea – dinner, around 6/7pm.
The cut – the canal.
Tip top – a long fruit-flavoured ice lolly.
Tot – an alcoholic drink.
Town – Birmingham city centre.
Wag – skip school or miss a lesson on purpose.
Wench – an affectionate term for a young woman.
Wooden hills – old term for stairs.
Hope this helps you navigate the wonderful Birmingham dialect and that you appreciate our little quirks.
You'll find our favourite sayings coming soon on t-shirts and hoodies.
Comments