So what is a Geordie anyway?

So what’s a Geordie anyway?  

For all my Canadian loves out there, I thought it would be necessary to define what a Geordie actually is.  When I first arrived here I thought I had an idea of what ‘being’ Geordie meant.  As the weeks flew by I continued to learn more about this ‘Geordiness’.  Whether it be from my students or friends, to be Geordie is more than just talking silly it`s a way of life.

To be a Geordie it is said that you enjoy being a part of the ‘toon army’ because it allows you to act like an animal on the day of the big football match! 

On a serious note, Geordie is a lifestyle and like my new friend has helped me realize I need to learn more about what it is that makes this country and its history so passionate about being Geordie.

Defining Geordie

So the basics, Geordie is an English dialect only spoken in Newcastle upon Tyne.  The words are horrendous and make The English language sound dreadful.  Well I guess that is my definition, but believe it or not, the Geordie dialect actually comes from the phonology of the Anglo-Saxons era. 

To re-live some Geordie phrases yourself take a gander and watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1zfG9No12Y

Other words and odd things that the British do:

Instead of asking, “How are you?” like we do in Canada they ask “Are you aight?”

This may not sound confusing, but in the beginning weeks of being here I actually thought people were concerned and asking if I was actually “All right”.  It was weird because my teaching agency that I work with kept asking if I was, “aight?”  I kept saying yes, I am fine why should I be upset?  It was sooo confusing!!??

Also they use ‘aye’ like we use ‘eh’.  A funny story with this happened with my letting agent.  For the Canadians, a letting agent is a real estate agent for renting.  We do not deal with the actual landlords here. We deal with letting agents who have been hired by landlords.  Anyway.... when we first got our flat I was walking through the place with the letting agent going over repairs and such.  He was saying “Aye” in agreement with me, and I was saying “eh?”  Because I was confused with the “aye”.   At the end of our journey through our flat, all we were saying to one another was “aye” and “eh” back and forth.  I didn’t think it made much sense but he seemed satisfied.

Asking for a glass of water in England is like taking a quiz. 

 Me: “I will just have water please”

Server: “Still or sparkling?”

Me: “Eh?”

Server: “ Which one?”

Me: “Ummmm tap water?”

Ryan and I have noticed how the British love to use adjectives and describing words!  We love it and usually get a kick out of the way they use their language.  Here are some examples:

The British love the word ‘LEGENDARY’ they use it for everything!

Ex: That was legendary! You are legendary! That match was legendary! 

Other fun describing words we have learned to love that the British use:

Bollocks (means you are pissed at someone, actually means testicles)

Cheeky (still a bit confused on this one)

Brilliant (I have to use this with my students because they recognize smart as being a nice dresser and                 not being intelligent).

Wanker  ( not able to describe it on here, but it’s nasty)

Other odd words:

Me (they use it funny, “like me moms sick’ or “me phone”)

Heub (a stove)

Crisps (chips)

Chips (fries)

Pants (underwear)

Rubbish (garbage)

Post (mail)

Toilet (bathroom, still soooo weird to ask where the ‘toilet’ is)

Telly (television)

Wellies (rubber boots)

Trolley (shopping cart)

Lift (elevator)

Toon (town, but strictly Geordie)