10 classic Nottingham words and phrases that are in danger of dying out

We’ve all been there, haven't we? 

You’re relaxing around the pool on holiday and suddenly hear the unmistakable Nottingham accent (usually berating the lack of sunbeds). 

Often accompanying these dulcet East Midlands tones is an assortment of local words and phrases. 

“Pass us the newspaper, duck!”

“You’re looking a bit mardy this morning. Was it a heavy night?”

Nottingham residents are very proud of the local words and phrases commonly used by those living in the city. 

However, there is definitely a generational divide when it comes to who actually uses Nottingham dialect in daily life. 

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 in danger of dying out. 

We asked Nottingham World readers to share their favourite Nottingham words or phrases in a bid to preserve them for generations to come.

Our request resulted in hundreds of suggestions, but we’ve managed to whittle it down to the top 10 most popular ones, which can be found below along with their translation to ‘proper’ English. 

Mardy: To be in a bad mood

Me duck: An affectionate term for another person

Pikelet: Crumpet

Gis a croggy: Give me a ride on your bicycle

Nesh: Unusually susceptible to cold weather Twitchel: A narrow alleyway between houses

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

Nobby greens: Brussel sprouts

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

The tea’s mashin’: The tea is brewing