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Ay up, me duck (and other Derbyshire dialect)

Footpath in Derbyshire

‘Yer launder’s bin smashed’ our neighbour informed us. Having lived in Crich for three years by this point, we thought we’d become accustomed to Derbyshire dialect, but this was a new one on us!

We’d lived in South Yorkshire for many years before our move and some turns of phrase had crossed the border with us. People here still nipped through a ginnel or jennel, although it was also often called a jitty here. Some folk were still proper mardy from time to time and when they were, they’d chunter away. If someone was mashin’ we knew a cuppa was soon to follow, and we had worked out that if someone had teken badly they were unwell. But we had not come across a launder and so made vague noises in the hope what was under discussion would make itself apparent, which it did in due course. It turned out an errant ladder had damaged our guttering. As this edition of Crich Standardis focused on what the Crich area has to offer visitors, perhaps a quick guide to some of the more difficult to fathom words and expressions might be well placed. If I’ve erred or missed anything important, I’m sure a native Derbyshirian will see me reet!

Ay up, me duck! Hello – from the Norse se upp (hello) and Anglo-Saxon duka (duke)

Arken Listen

Bag on (‘She’s got a bag on’)She’s in a bad mood

It’s black uvver ahh Bill’s motha’s It looks like it will rain

Blart Shout

Causeway or causey Pavement

Clammed Very hungry

Council pop Tap water

Gone-aht Surprised

Mommar/Ninnar Grandmother

Nebbin’ Being nosey

Rattle (‘You’ve got some rattle’) You talk a lot!

Rugged up Wrapped up in warm clothing

Rummon Cheeky child

Scraitin‘ Moaning, whinging

Snap Packed lunch

Swat Throw

Tut-toos Sweets

Wittle Worry

Well, go to the foot of our stairs I’m surprised