# What is a Geordie? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 18, 2010, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112 "2010-07-18T11:29:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/21 "2010-07-19T13:31:44Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > I don’t know, do you have one for all the American regional nicknames? Hoosiers, and Buckeyes, and Hillbillies, and Cornhuskers, and Cheeseheads and the like? I am sure it is all at least as complicated and arbitrary. Just look at a map of the USA. A Hoosier is from Indiana, Buckeye is someone from Ohio, Nebraska is for Cornhuskers, and Wisconsin is where Cheeseheads come from. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/22 "2010-07-19T13:43:50Z")
In addition to the accent, many Geordies use considerable dialectical differences to other parts of the UK. Us (pron. “ooz”): me Divvent: don’t Canny: aware Kna: know Gan: go Which is what makes [this Fast Show sketch](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGYUd4mNaBM) one of my favourites (for non-Brits, they’re all playing very posh people from the 1930s/40s/50s, but using the working class dialects of the regions they’re meant to be from). ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/23 "2010-07-19T14:46:45Z")
See also Michael the hotel handyman in _[I’m Alan Partridge](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sWQsJXm6dk)_, whom Alan has a spot of trouble understanding (“I’m sorry, that was just a noise…”). (Incidentally, the actor who played Michael is not really a Geordie, and has more recently provided the voice for the irritating meerkat in the [Comparethemarket.com](http://Comparethemarket.com) ads.) ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/24 "2010-07-19T15:56:14Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > I have a couple of geordies in my eve online corp, and it is highly funny to hear them if they get really excited because they get really slangy and hard to understand … though not as difficult as the Glaswegian that used to be in the corp. Talk about 2 cultures separated by a single language … I am still not certain Glaswegians speak english … 😃 Oh yes, the Glaswegian accent. Just see this fine example from [Rab C Nesbitt](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k7VoFiagfs) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/25 "2010-07-19T16:25:08Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > The lovely lass on the left is Cheryl Cole, and she has a very appealing Geordie accent > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nMFzk5Mp5Y&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nMFzk5Mp5Y&feature=related) Phew, they’re hot. What about the one on the right? It sounds like she has the same accent? Or am I missing a distinction? > [@njtt](#): > > I don’t know, do you have one for all the American regional nicknames? Hoosiers, and Buckeyes, and Hillbillies, and Cornhuskers, and Cheeseheads and the like? I am sure it is all at least as complicated and arbitrary. These are just state-based nicknames (except “Hillbillies,” which is not a region-based). And they’re not very closely related to our identities, and certainly aren’t attached to a specific accent. I’m from Ohio, but it would be strange if someone called me a “Buckeye” in ordinary conversation. They’re much more attached to the supporters of specific university football and basketball teams. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/26 "2010-07-19T16:27:21Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Try _Auf Wiedersehen Pet_, and some of the standup comedy of Ross Noble to get a taste of geordie-ness. Or the truly awful teenybopper soap [Byker Grove](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fB7SjB4eFM) (sorry, _grohhhve_). > [@](#): > > Phew, they’re hot. What about the one on the right? It sounds like she has the same accent? Or am I missing a distinction? Kim Walsh is from Bradford, which is sort of nearby, but I’m not sure where you’re hearing much similarity. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/27 "2010-07-19T16:41:38Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Phew, they’re hot. What about the one on the right? It sounds like she has the same accent? Or am I missing a distinction? Kimberley is from Yorkshire. The accent is distinctly different to me - Cheryl’s Geordie vowels are markedly different and a lot more clipped. Yorkshire vowels are more elongated. E.g. Geordie “climbed” is kinda like “claimed” whereas Yorkshire is more like “claahmed”. Geordie “away” is “awee” whereas Yorkshire is “aweh”. And yeah, Cheryl is one of the most gorgeous women on the planet, IMO. Kimberley… well she has nice hair. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/28 "2010-07-19T16:44:08Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Phew, they’re hot. What about the one on the right? if you think they’re hot, check out [Cheryl and her co-judge, Danni Minoque](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve9M96e-ta4), on X Factor. Yowse, I loves me a brunette, grrrrrrrr Apologies for that hijack ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/29 "2010-07-19T16:44:52Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > And yeah, Cheryl is one of the most gorgeous women on the planet, IMO. Kimberley… well she has nice hair. She’s apparently contracted malaria as a result of her trip to Africa. ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/30 "2010-07-19T18:18:43Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > In addition to the accent, many Geordies use considerable dialectical differences to other parts of the UK. > > Us (pron. “ooz”): me > Divvent: don’t > **Canny: aware** > Kna: know > Gan: go > > Which is what makes [this Fast Show sketch](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGYUd4mNaBM) one of my favourites (for non-Brits, they’re all playing very posh people from the 1930s/40s/50s, but using the working class dialects of the regions they’re meant to be from). Not really **Jjimm** - more like “Nice” or “Good”. (I’m Yorkshire but live in Geordyland - can’t understand the buggers without subtitles either. Only been here since 1979 :rolleyes: ) And Cheryl Cole (Tweedy) - OK until she speaks ☹ and when she’s not beating up black toilet attendants. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/31 "2010-07-20T00:07:51Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > She’s apparently contracted malaria as a result of her trip to Africa. A recent holiday, not the Kilimanjaro charity climb. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/32 "2010-07-20T08:16:10Z")
> [@Myglaren](#): > > Not really **Jjimm** - more like “Nice” or “Good”. Well shows what I know. Never ask a soft southern puff about the North. A propos of nothing, I was in Newcastle for the first time ever 10 days ago - went through it on the train. Interesting geography. Geordies are also renowned for going out in all weathers in skimpy clothing with no coats, and regard anyone wearing one as a poof. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/33 "2010-07-20T09:41:28Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Well shows what I know. Never ask a soft southern puff about the North. [Mal Reynolds] …but it is, on occasion, hilarious. [/Mal Reynolds] > [@](#): > > A propos of nothing, I was in Newcastle for the first time ever 10 days ago - went through it on the train. Interesting geography. Really? In what way? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/34 "2010-07-20T09:50:02Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > She’s apparently contracted malaria as a result of her trip to Africa. I will kiss it better for her. > [@WotNot](#): > > Really? In what way? The depth and windiness of the Tyne, and the height of the bridges. I saw the Angel of the North on the way there too, which was cool. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/35 "2010-07-20T10:05:47Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > I don’t know, do you have one for all the American regional nicknames? Hoosiers, and Buckeyes, and Hillbillies, and Cornhuskers, and Cheeseheads and the like? I am sure it is all at least as complicated and arbitrary. I think somebody’s having a laugh with this list: > [@](#): > > **Southern England** : Southerner, Southern Nancy, Southern Pansy, Southern Softie, Southern Fairy, Shandy Drinker, Swiller, _Soft-as-shit shandy drinking southern poof_. 😛 Never heard of “purrer” either for my hometown (though pie-eater is correct). ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/36 "2010-07-22T06:19:43Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Well shows what I know. Never ask a soft southern puff about the North. > > A propos of nothing, I was in Newcastle for the first time ever 10 days ago - went through it on the train. Interesting geography. Wish I’d known, would have bought you a bottle 'o broon. > [@](#): > > Geordies are also renowned for going out in all weathers in skimpy clothing with no coats, and regard anyone wearing one as a poof. I can attest to that, picking up my daughters from the city centre at 3am, most of the girls were wearing about as much clothing as you would wear in the bath :eek: ---
**Author:** ![ColdPhoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@ColdPhoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColdPhoenix)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/37 "2010-07-22T08:24:43Z")
> [@Who\_me\_1](#): > > Just look at a map of the USA. A Hoosier is from Indiana, \*\*Buckeye \*\*is someone from Ohio, Nebraska is for Cornhuskers, and Wisconsin is where Cheeseheads come from. > 😉 Don’t start! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![sinical\_brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/48db29/32.png) [@sinical\_brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinical_brit)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/38 "2010-07-22T15:15:53Z")
Good post BunnyTVS - and hi from Prudhoe ! I know there are only a few Brit dopers. I wonder how many are from the n.e. ? Perhaps i should start a thread… Anyway - for some propa Geordie folk may i suggest the rather lovely Unthank sisters: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_bRR6DVWEUM/hqdefault.jpg "The Unthanks Here's The Tender Coming Live Later Jools Holland Oct 2009") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bRR6DVWEUM) ---
**Author:** ![sinical\_brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/48db29/32.png) [@sinical\_brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinical_brit)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/39 "2010-07-22T15:23:22Z")
@ Colophon: “Hay-ya neva had a cup 'o beans, man?” [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ7EPVQXUM8](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ7EPVQXUM8) - like a savoury 99 ! ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-geordie/547112/40 "2010-07-22T16:06:44Z")
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