Speak In Nottingham To Me - A Beginner's Guide To Nottingham's Dialect

Let’s be honest—language is one of the coolest things we’ve ever come up with. Without it, we’d be stuck in a world of confused grunting, wild hand gestures, and total chaos. Thanks to language, we can live together, build communities, share feelings, argue about biscuits vs. scones, and even fall in love. It’s what helps us work as a team—and understand one another (most of the time, anyway!).

Now, throughout history, humans have always dreamed of finding one universal language to unite us all. From ancient empires to modern memes, the idea has stuck around. Latin gave it a pretty good go—it was the go-to language for science, literature, law, and church sermons all across Europe. Then came the age of exploration, when French and Spanish tried to claim the linguistic crown. For a while, French ruled the diplomatic scene, until English swooped in post-World War II and said, “Right, I’ll take it from here.” Fast forward to the 21st century, and English may be the global go-to—but that doesn’t mean it’s simple. Oh no. Enter: local dialects. From Cockney rhyming slang to Geordie banter, regional flavours of English never stop surprising, confusing, and absolutely delighting both learners and native speakers alike.

We’ve dived into our favourite dialects—Nottinghamese! Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or just someone who loves quirky phrases and hidden meanings, we've put together a list of words and expressions that’ll help you get to know Nottingham’s unique way of talking.

So, ready to decode the dialect? Let’s have a proper nosey into Nottinghamese!

Small talk words & phrases: We all need these, they are a perfect way to start a conversation, help break the silence and allow us to avoid topics that we're not very keen on.

• Ay up miduck! - Hello friend! (The most popular Nottingham greeting)
• Allreet - Are you OK
• Bit of a fafff - Something thats Awkard/ takes more time than it should
• That’s sick - It's good
• Tarrah thenn - Goodbye
• Ay-up yooth (to a man) or Ay-up midduk (to a lady or small child) - Good Morning/afternoon/ evening
• Intitt koad? - Don't you think it's chilly today?
• Wottjowont? - Do you require something?
• Owzyorr kidd? - Is your brother/sister in good health?
• Am orryte - I am quite well
• Wairja wokk? - What is your occupation?

Top survival words & phrases: If on a one fine day you find yourself in a shady or uncomfortable situation, and you're not sure what to say you should always have this short guide on hand. *Terms & Conditions Apply: we are not responsible for the reaction of the local folk after hearing some of those phrases.

• Famished - Very hungry
• Clammed - Hungry
• Nesh or Parky - Cold / I feel the cold
• Middlin - Fairly well
• Jiggy change - Small change given to bus driver
• On the Lash - Going out drinking
• Goowonn gerroff - Please go away
• Am tellin yammam - I shall report this incident to your mother
• Daft as owt - Very silly 
• Yo dutti sodd! - I am disgusted by your language/behaviour! Yo mukki bogga!
• Shuttya gobb! - Please bring this conversation to a speedy conclusion
• Am nakkud - I am very tired
• Aya seena bogg? - Is there a toilet nearby?
• Gizza a bell - Call me 
• Gerra moovonn - Please hurry
• Gaffer - Boss man/ Someone in charge

Top 'I'm a pro' words & phrases: If you find yourself surrounded by the locals and want to impress them with your language skills here are top phrases you should know that will make them look at you with respect you deserve. Weave those into the conversation and you'll definitely impress.

• To mash  - To make a cup of tea
• Aya masht midduk? - Have you brewed the tea good woman?
• Fuddle - Indoor picnic
• Croggy - To give someone a lift on your bike
• Tab hanging - To listen in uninvited
• Mardy - Bad mood
• Kissers - Lips
• Aya gorrumminn? - Have you ordered the drinks?
• Intee inn? - Is the gentleman not available?
• Jono? - Do you realise?
• Gerritt dahnya - Please begin your meal
• The little bogga - My beloved child
• Yo jammi sodd! - You are a lucky person!

And all of those words and phrases that you don't expect to use anytime in the near future but would like to know them . . . just in case: In normal circumstances you wouldn't expect to have a conversation about piglets or about arranging sheaves of corn into rows but we know life can be quite an unpredictable trickster and can put us in a variety of unexpected situations, hence the short list below.

• Canch (verb) - The action of arranging sheaves of corn into rows
• Recklin - Youngest pig in litter
• Bobbo - Horse
• Awokk at Ralleh - I manufacture bicycles at Raleigh
• Awokk at Boowutts - I am in the pharmaceutical industry of Boots
• Fog egg - bird nesting
• Clarty - Something sticking to the roof of your mouth
• Its a bit black over Bill's mother's - The skies are darkening
• Raggy - arsed - Someones who's scruffy or unkept

If you enjoyed this short guide to Nottingham's dialect please share it with friends and family, and spread the word. If you have any other phrases and words that I may have missed please include them in the comment section below. If you love Nottingham's dialect as much as I do check out Dukki Design, where you can get yourself customised products with Nottingham's phrases.

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Sources: ❤︎ Special thanks to 'Nottingham as it is Spoke' volume I and II for its extensive knowledge and expertise in Nottingham's dialect. Grab a copy of both volumes in Nottingham's Tourism Centre on Smithy Row for more great examples of how to speak Nottingham. ❤︎ Our Nottinghamshire

This blog was written by Kinga Kapias, Marketing Executive at Visit Nottinghamshire. Updated by Georgina Richardson