18 traditional Nottingham words, phrases and sayings that your gran definitely used to say

Whether you like it or not, if you’ve been born and raised in Nottingham then chances are you’ll speak with a distinctive local accent. 

As with all parts of the country, some people speak with a thicker Notts accent than others - and that can be dictated by a myriad of factors. 

As a rule of thumb, the broader your accent, the more local words and phrases you’re likely to use. 

Each part of the country has its own unique local dialect and Nottingham is, of course, no different. 

But it’s fair to say that there’s something of a generational divide when it comes to this sort of thing. 

With young people now exposed to all different accents and dialects thanks to the internet, some of Nottingham’s most famous words and phrases are being used far less than a few decades ago. 

However, many of us still enjoy hearing an older person using some of the local words they were brought up with. 

We might nearly be in 2025, but there are still plenty of old-timers who say phrases such as ‘tarar duck’ and ‘aya mashin?’. 

We’ve picked out 18 iconic Nottingham words and phrases that you definitely heard your gran use at one point or another. 

Nesh: Unusually susceptible to cold weather 

It’s looking black over Bill’s mother’s: It looks like it’s going to rain

Tabs: Ears

Gerrof om: Go home

Nobby greens: Brussel sprouts

Wassa marra wiya: What’s the matter with you?

Me duck: An affectionate term for another person

Pikelet: Crumpet

Twitchel: A narrow alleyway between houses

Gobby cow: Someone who gossips

Gerrum yersen: Help yourself

Yowl gerrover it: You’ll recover

Ussens: Ourselves

Taytuzz: Potatoes

Watter: Water

Ez ee sed owt?: Did he say anything?

Gerrit dern yer: Eat it

Bobbo: Horse