How to speak like a proper Mancunian

It’s common knowledge that dinner and tea have a completely different meaning in other parts of the country. But until you’re a Mancunian in exile, surrounded by southerners, you don’t quite realise just how distinct our dialect is.

Here are our most Mancunian sayings, to help out those not fortunate enough to be from the greatest city in the world.

Our kid

This isn’t a reference to your own child, whatever you might think. “Our kid” is another way of saying “my sibling”, or referring to a friend you’re so close to that they’re basically related.

You don’t over pronounce the “our” either – it’s “are kid”. “Your kid” and “their kid” also exist when you’re referring to someone else’s sibling. 

Mint

Not the plant or the breath freshener – we use this adjective when something is really good. If you’re in Manchester, it isn’t amazing, it’s proper mint.

Sick

Here is where the real confusion starts. Other parts of the country use this word to describe someone’s state of health or something grossly offensive, but Mancunians use “sick” positively. Antwerp was absolutely sick last night.

Me gaff 

This refers to your house. “Do you want to come to my house tonight for pre-drinks?” = Comin’ round me gaff for pres?

Bare

No, not naked: it means “a lot”. As in, Johnny got bare abuse for that pull last night.

Angin’

We don’t mean “hanging”, we say that too, but drop the “h” and you’re a proper Manc describing something disgusting and awful. The food was proper angin’ in there mate.

Wind yer neck in

You’ve heard this too many times from your parents but to anyone else they’ll probably be imagining some sort of strange distorted position for your head. Wind yer bleedin’ neck in is another way of telling someone to shut up.

Dead

We’re not referring to the mortal state of something. When it’s dead good in Manchester, it’s mint and it’s sick. “Very” doesn’t really exist here.

Mad fer it

Made most famous by the Gallagher brothers, this phrase refers to being really passionate about something. Half of Manchester are “mad fer” United, the other, City.

Well

This emphasises the quality of something exactly like “dead” does. It’s well good, I was well tired and she’s well fit. 

Stop mithering me 

When you “mither” someone you’re constantly annoying them. Think small child repeatedly asking for something in a shop – if you’re in the Trafford Centre you’re likely to hear “Will you stop mithering me?!” at full volume.

Mingin’

With “angin” comes “mingin” and the two mean exactly the same. If it’s “mingin”, it’s gross and important to drop the “g” on the end for a truly authentic pronunciation.