Ey up, love: Here are all the Sheffield slang terms freshers need to know

Moving to Sheffield, or anywhere, means that you have a very important and simple rule to follow in order to be accepted by your neighbours around the city. You must know the language that comes with living in this gorgeous part of Yorkshire. Because that’s what it is. A whole other language. The South Yorkshire dialect truly is a wonder to behold.

For those who’ve just moved to the city, it might take a bit of effort to learn. But if you take the time to learn, to listen to locals speaking in their mother tongue, and keep consistent with t’Duolingo –   it’s bloody brilliant. Be patient, and you’ll be reyt.

When somebody just won’t stop talking

Let’s start with one of Sheffielders’ favourite sayings “shut thi cake oil” –  as locals say it. One of the most humorous ways of telling somebody to kindly be quiet and stop talking.

Simple yet, trust me, very effective.

When the conversation gets awkward and you talk about the weather

Do you know that feeling when it’s getting a little nippy outside, the weather is turning colder, and you need to pull out your under-layers and winter coat (round about this time of the year)? Well, this may mean you’re a bit “nesh”. A splendid and basic word you’ll become acquainted to whilst resigning in Sheffield, as the weather stays this temperature for most of the year.

Describing where you are when you have no idea

Another phrase which you must get acquired to whilst in Sheffield is being “in the arse end a nowhere”, because a lot of Sheffield is literally in the arse end a nowhere.

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No, it’s not a rude phrase, so stop thinking that, as it simply means being in the middle of nowhere. Sheffield is surrounded by endless green landscapes, the Peak District being just one of them, so you may often than not find yourself relating to this very phrase.

Synonym for needing a shower

After being in one of these arse end a nowhere places in quite nesh conditions, you might find yourself returning home rather “loppy”. A nightmare this is, so take your shoes off outside, and have a shower straight away, as this means you are dirty. And this can be described about anything as well; shoes/ clothes/ cars etc.

A packed lunch for those long uni days

If you’ve got a  full day of lectures tomorrow and that uni budget isn’t quite justifying buying a meal deal from Tesco today, then prepare yourself some snap for the day ahead. Just a sandwich, crisps and a banana will do (ham and cheese is the only correct answer). The term “snap” is used as a packed lunch, and it is always the cheaper option.

Who doesn’t love a short cut?

Growing up in Sheffield there are words I used which I thought was the correct word for things – the Sheffield dictionary tricked me on this.

An alleyway is called a “jennel” within Sheffield, and somehow this came from the French word “chenelle” (but don’t take my word on that one).

Pronunciation went out of the window for this one

This is definitely one if my favourites “Ge’ore” meaning “give over”, or “stop whatever it is that you were doing”. And it is one of my favourites because it literally cannot understood by somebody who isn’t from Sheffield, making me feel bilingual or something.

Platonic nicknames only

There us no greater feeling them being called “love” or “duck” by a regular customer at your part time job, it makes you feel so warm and comforted inside. And it’s what makes Sheffielders’ seem so welcoming and friendly, if you catch them on a good day.

So no, the old woman down the road doesn’t have a crush on you, she’s just being nice, duck.

Greetings galore

The most common slag phrases come when the people of Sheffield say hello, and goodbye to one another. “Ey up” translates to a simple “hello there” just with a touch of familiarity in the words. Similar to the phrase “Nah then” which is usually followed by a huge catch up with an old friend.

And to say goodbye a simple “Si Thi” will suffice, meaning a short but sweet “see you later”. But there’s something so personal within only a few letters and just two syllables- saves a lot less time as well (two syllables less time).

‘Nah then Mardy Bum’

We had to save the two most famous phrases till last, the Arctic Monkeys rose this slang term to fame by using it in the name of one of their top hits.

“Mardy” is the term, and Sheffield fans are quite mardy because they’ve hardly seen the band since. It is just the perfect word to describe when a person is being just that!

For all you southerners, it’s someone in a mood or having a strop.

Saving the best for last

Finally, we have the infamous slogan of Sheffield, the one you’ll find on all of the slang posters and the one which just makes the most sense in every situation, everywhere you go.

“Be reyt”, and it’s just that because everything will just be alright. The reassurance behind the simplest words is unmatched and untouched.

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