KBGS Old Boys' Forum

A place to discuss Keighley Boys' Grammar School. 


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Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

My father was brought up on a farm above Sutton and he had lots of words in his vocabulary which I never hear down this way. One of his phrases, used when I'd been a bad lad was, 'Tek care I don't knawp thi wi't thibble' By that, I knew that he intended to hit me with he stick he used to use to mix the 'hen jock'. So 'knawp' I'm sure means to hit. Thirrups? Could this be translated as 'turnips'. I remember that the farmers used to cut the crowns off swedes and turnips before slicing them in a hand operated machine to feed to the animals. The machine, operated by a large handle, was a favourite thing to 'laik' on whenever I visited my uncle George's Farm.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945 50

Current location (optional) Norfolk

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

When I was in the RAF many, many, many years ago I was of course Yorkie. But my Yorkshireness came out when I was incredulous about something or offended and I would say "Nay!" and everyone in hearing distance would shout " N-A-A-A-A-A-Y!!!!!". It didn't cure me though. I still do it. Arthur

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Around my neck of the woods, Shaun, Blind was also pronounced as your find, as in "It's over(ryme with hover) theer,lad, is ta blind?"

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 55-60

Current location (optional) Harrogate

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

And "found" pronounced "fun" - as in "Ah fun it under a gooseberry bush".
Arthur, I gave away (ie revealed) my Yorkshireliness t'other week in the local. A fellow imbiber said what he'd paid for a meal somewhere. My jaw sagged as I incredulously gasped "Howw much!?"

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 52-60

Current location (optional) Lincoln

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

One piece of advice my old feller gave to me was "a tuppenny pie costs fowpence when tha's married,lad"

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 55-60

Current location (optional) Harrogate

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Yesterday evening my wife and I took my aunt to a concert by the Steeton Male Voice Choir at Bolton Priory. The church was full and my aunt really enjoyed the concert. As we were driving back to Keighley my aunt said "Ee, ther' wer' part fowk thier wan't ther". I'd forgotten that "part" means "quite a lot of".

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-65

Current location (optional) leeds

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

A fine example of deliberate Yorkshire understatement, similar to "middlin' o' fowk" or "a bit on a crah'd".

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Dudley, West Midlands

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Brian Craven
A fine example of deliberate Yorkshire understatement, similar to "middlin' o' fowk" or "a bit on a crah'd".

or, "I say Brian, your face has turned a shade red."

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

The Black Bull in Sutton was the headquarters of the Sutton-in-Craven Homing Society. Members met there regularly on Friday to ring the birds, clock them in and put them into baskets before taking them to Kildwick station from whence they were transported to far flung parts of the country. They were released the following day and on Saturday evening the Society members met again at the Black Bull with their pigeon clocks to ascertain who had won the race and distribute the spoils. My dad, was a member of the club for many years and was therefor a frequent visitor to the Black Bull.
About 1979 some ten years after my father died, I called in at the Black Bull for refreshment. It was lunch time [dinner time in Sutton!] and there was only one other client seated at the far end of the bar, a well built, elderly chap who by his appearance and distinctive farm yard odour, worked on the land. He greeted me as I walked in.
'Nathen'
I replied, 'Nathen then'
He took a swig from his pint, pushed his cap back, thowt a bit and said,'I s'ud knaw thee'.
'Should you?'
'Aye', and after a further pause for a drink and a think he said, 'Pickles'
'That's right'
Another swig and then he volunteered, 'Walter wor thi fatther'.
I told him that Walter was my uncle and that my fathers name was Charlie.
He seemed a bit put out, returned to his tankard, drained it and as he left the bar, he passed behind me, put his hand on my shoulder and said triumphantly,
'And Wil were thi' grandfatther! [My grandfather died in 1939!]
Using knowledge gleaned from a lifetime living and working in the village, he'd worked out my pedigree. I was impressed. And I haven't a clue he was.
Could such a meeting take place today?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945 50

Current location (optional) Norfolk

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I enjoyed that story Dennis.Similar but different, in 2006 I was visiting an old farming friend, John Bancroft, also ex KBGS,on his farm on the edge of Brow Moor at Haworth. Somehow into the conversation came the name of another old farmer from Lees Moor, Cross Roads, who had moved to Haworth when he got married at the age of 20 and I hadn't seen him since, over 56 years later. John said something like "we can go see him now if tha likes," so we did, and drove up onto Haworth Moor to the place known as Sowden's farm, famous as the home of the Rev William Grimshaw. He knocked on Harry's door and when he opened the door he greeted John and looked me over as if to ask "do I know thi?"

John asked him "dunt na know this lad Harry?" "Should I?" asked Harry. "Aye tha should" said John. "Gimme a clue" said Harry.

Me-- "g'day Harry, I lived on't Barcroft and my dad was Raymond"

Immediately he came back with "It's Billy Walsh" and we were made real welcome. I called again last year and it sure is good to meet up with old family friends.To hear these two farmers chatting away using a lot of dialect was just wonderful for me who doesn't hear it these days, and I could follow every word.Cheers.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1947-51

Current location (optional) Auckland NZ

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Two lovely stories from Denis and Bill, both of whom I have shared a pint or so, down at the Turkey Inn in recent years. Which reminded me of a more recent encounter at the same 'hostelry', when I popped down there for a quiet pint one Friday and bumped into a once near neighbour of mine at the bar, named Smith Butterfield, whose son, Geoff, played fullback for Keighley some years back. He had been out walking with a friend and they also, had called in for refreshment at the Turkey. After exchanging a few pleasantries he rejoined his friend and as they started to leave the premises same five minutes later to continue their walk, Smith stopped at the bar and said," David, this friend of mine says he was at School with you!!" I said " What, Grammar School?" He replied in the affirmatve and I asked him his name. "Shackleton" he said, and I blurted out,"Not Len-no he was Park Avenue, wasn't he?" As soon as he said,"Cyril", a picture of young teenage lad with black wavy hair, playing centre in the form matches at rugby, flashed up from memory bank. Cyril Shackleton! A lad(?)I hadn't seen or heard of for over 60 years and here I was shaking him by the hand and both of us trying to remember names of former classmates with big smiles on our faces.
Just a chance meeting at a local pub and it made my day! I'm sure Denis Pickles will remember him and maybe one or two other OB's from the mid-to-late 40's, may do also.
Whilst writing I may as well give you the answer to my ealier posting which was about 'knawping thirrups'. Most of you would know that 'knawping' means 'hitting' something. 'Thirrups'are 'cobwebs',so the lad was knocking down and/or clearing out cobwebs in the barn. 'Simples!'

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945-50

Current location (optional) Keighley(still!)

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I'm familiar with the term "knawping" as an expression from youth, but have never thought about its origins before.
Could it derive from "napeing" ie a means of despatching something, such as a rabbit, to the next life by means of a swift blow to the nape of the neck?
That doesn't seem appropriate to turnips or cobwebs though!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958 - 65

Current location (optional) Dudley, West Midlands

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I had no trouble with knawping, David. When my first grandson came to see me I took him up to Peck Wood and before we passed the cave by the side of the road I told him there was a troll living in there and we had to pass carefully. To protect ourselves if he heard us we picked ourselves good sticks for 'troll-knawping' He believed it and to tell the truth I was half-way there myself. I tell a good story sometimes.

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I came across another lovely, old Yorkshire word recently which I don't think has yet been included in this thread, and that is 'mawnt'(must not).eg " Tha' mawnt cum in 'ere wi' yer mucky bewits on".

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945-50

Current location (optional) Keighley

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I was talking to an elderly resident of Keighley last week and he was telling me how his keys had gone missing and he initially blamed his son ... "Ee, Ah played pop wi' mi lad til Ah funnem. It wer me worrad lostem." ... Played pop, a wonderful expression.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Leeds

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Marlicking abaat wi' em no doubt.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1960-62

Current location (optional) SHIPLEY

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

"Am fair brusson" meaning too full of food after eating.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1959-66

Current location (optional) HAWORTH

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Should be e not o

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1959-66

Current location (optional) HAWORTH

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

In most laguages, the 2nd person singular is a personal as opposed to a formal form of address, yet in Yorkshire, we rarely use the 2nd person plural, it's allus thee, thou, thy and thine

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

what about 'ye' and 'ye lot'

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

"Don't thee thou me,thee thou thissen an' see ow thy likes it"

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 55-60

Current location (optional) Harrogate

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Teenage clubbers in West Yorkshire are using dental syringes to inject Ecstasy into their mouths

"E by gum"

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1959-66

Current location (optional) cumbria

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I wish I hadn't mentioned this!

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

John, under the thread entitled "Featured photo etc." you said "I found that the trousers of my blues uniform were far too baggy and I reluctantly had to wear the pants I had been issued when I first received my commission at age 25."
Reminds me of another Yorkshire word - swank. Now where does that one come from?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Leeds

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Shaun, we used the word "Swank"a lot in the forties and my wife from Leicestershire says they too used it in a small country school. I may be wrong but I think it came over with the Yanks in the war. It is not used at all in Tasmania ,I have never heard it for years.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 43-46

Current location (optional) Tasmania

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

The OED is quite precise in its information about the word 'swank'. As a noun: 'ostentatious or pretentious behaviour or talk; swagger; pretentiousness'; first usage recorded 1854. As a verb: appropriate derivatives of all the above, and additionally, 'to pretend by one's behaviour to be something superior to what one is'; first usage 1809. From 1890 it acquired a further meaning of 'to work hard, to "swat"'. A slang term with no known, certain etymology. So it seems to be 'national' rather than Yorkshire.

My own recollections from childhood are of it being used as a direct reference to a person e.g. he's a swank, rather than what the first OED defn. suggests e.g. there's a lot of swank about him. 'Stop swanking!' was a common enough expression in my childhood.

Doug

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I recall the RSM encouraging us in his dulcet tones to display "bags of swank" when marching up and down the hill many moons ago and this was certainly no-where near Yorkshire.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 55-60

Current location (optional) Harrogate

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

As chance would have it, this evening, reading Kynaston's "Family Britain" I came across a Mass-Observation report on Coronation street parties in London(p. 304) where the Investigator reports 'No expense spared... a huge swanky tea provided with all the works...'

I tangled with an RSM once, Alec. I had gone to the sergeant's mess to look for a friend. I wandered through the bar where the RSM happened to be sitting having his elevenses. He asked me in a very superior way what I wanted. I told him. He sent someone off to look for my friend and then asked me to wait outside! As I was about to exit the insult struck me. I turned, looked him in the eye and said "You pompous prick!" He turned scarlet - I thought he would die of apoplexy, and I rather hoped he would. I couldn't quite catch his words as I fled the sergeant's mess...

Doug

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

This reminds me of a story my late father in law (a Suffolk man) used to tell when he was in the army. One of his mates was a Yorkshireman called Harrison.

At parade one day the Sergeant, pulled him out.
'You , two steps forward !- whats your name?'

Harrison: 'Sir, 'Arrison, sir !

Sergeant: 'Oh yes 'Arrison, (mimmicking his dropping of aitches), 'ow do you spell that ?'

'Sir, a haitch, a hay, two hars and a hi, a hess, a ho and a hen Sir ! replied 'Arrison.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-64

Current location (optional) Wirral

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

"As chance would have it, this evening, reading Kynaston's "Family Britain"

I am also reading this and I noticed the quote count for KBGS has gone up to two. Asa Briggs is quoted in this volume, and of course Preston is quoted several times.

How many other grammar schools feature so prominently in a history of Britain?

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Is this thread still running? Surely Bernard Johnson has enough material for his book by now!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1960-68

Current location (optional) Leeds UK

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I don't remember "swanking" for my exams.I certainly had no cause for "swanking" after my exams

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Lincoln

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I recall maunt shortened to mun't as in "Tha mun't do that - or else!" Fatherly advice as I remember.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Lincoln

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Brian Moate;s tale about 'Arrison reminded me of a true happening in my service career. Pay parade was held in a hangar and we were split into two separate parades A-N and O-Z. The parade was about 10 mins intoit when a late comer came slippering quietly up the hangar to be spotted by the RAF Regimant sergeant in charge of the parade.
-Come 'ere , airman!
Offending airman came over and stood to attention in front of him.
-What's your name? he snarled.
-Phipps, sergeant, came the reply.
- Get in the F's, man, get in the F's.
Collapse of parade!!!!!

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I though mun't was a further shortening of musn't from must not.

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

.......... and another army story related by my father. In Sutton at the outbreak of WW1 lived a young man by the name of Alfred Helm. He and several others went to volunteer for the army. They lined up in front of the recruiting sergeant and eventually Alfred was called forward. 'Name?', asked the sergeant. 'Alf Ellum' replied Alfred. 'Gormless b****r, I asked you for your name not what you're going to do to the b****rs.'

Well, I thought it funny when I first heard it!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945 - 50

Current location (optional) Norfolk UK

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

All of this talk of Sergeants Major has brought back a flood of memories. When I was a very young Officer Cadet, even lower in rank than a 2nd Lieutenant, it was my turn to be Parade Commander. I did a simply cracking job, bags of swank to tie in the other bit of the thread, however, when the time came for me to march off the Parade Ground, I started to square gait. This is where you actually swing your right arm in the same direction as your right leg, and the same for the left. Try it, it is quuite uncomfortable and totally unnatural. The 2IC Parade was marching behind me and mumbled at me, "Jack, you're square gaiting and you're making me do it to." The RSM had the most incredulouos look on his face and bellowed at us both to get off of his parade ground and get out of his sight. We tried to stop squaring, but couldn't, the RSM was shouting louder, we eventually reached the edge of the ground and had to crawl along a ditch to get away from him.

For 29 out of my 30 years in the Army, I outranked Sergeants and Sergeants Major, but even so, I still felt a bit cowed by them. A couple of years ago I was stationed in Darwin and met the RSM of the regiment I was visiting and found myself calling him, "Sir."

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

As I get older, I find that it becomes increasingly more difficult to carry out once simple tasks such as wiring a plug or folding a fitted bed sheet. [Was folding a fitted bed sheet ever that easy?] Anyway as fiddled with trying to hang a pair of curtains the other day, I was minded of a saying used by my dad when he saw anyone struggling with something he could do with ease. He would say, 'Gi' that ter me! Tha's framing like a man med o' band!'
This post has had so many responses, I'm not sure whether this particular Yorkshire saying has been logged before. If it has, I apologise.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945 - 50

Current location (optional) Norfolk UK

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

No, I don't think it has - though by extension of the image my brother-i-law's mother used to say of a skinny lad "He's like a man med o' band tied up wi string" but she was from Leeds.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Lincoln

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

'E sounds waar na nowt.

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

In Keighley, or down our end, "saliva" was "slavver". Hence, bairns that were teething often were seen to be "slavvering".
Slavver was also used to describe unwelcome remarks or cheek. Hence - "I'll have none of your slavver" or "What's he slavvering on about?"

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Lincoln

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Much enjoyed reading through this section but can't add much. Has anyone mentioned "think on" meaning "take note" as a general admonition. Or "Nah then" as a greeting.With regard to Scandinavian origins of dialect words I remember my mam who was born in Earby telling me about an old farmer who when asked directions to somewhere said "Gang up 'ither till tha sees a white yat and a track as folks have made" The "gang" and "yat" are obviously the operative words cf, German gehen,gang,gegangen etc and "yat" which I think is Swedish for gate.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1940-48

Current location (optional) Epsom

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Just re-reading this thread and came across a query about 'raffle-coppin'. It is a Craven District dialect word, so from somewhere over Skipton way. To 'raffle' is to spend one's life in idle pursuits; to lead a loose disorderley life and is probably related to ravel, meaning to tangle in a disorderly manner. A raffle-coppin is a disorderly blade, a wild fellow close to ragamuffin. It is easily 'Googled' and one finds other interesting words on the site.

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Nice one, Tom. I remember my mother in hysterics when my dad told her of a chance meeting with a colleague.

"I met him down *#*#*# street .

He said 'Nah then!'

I said ' Nah then, then!'

Can't imagine how you reply to that.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Nirvana

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Suited (as in " 'e were reight suited when 'is Grandad giv 'im two bob")
= pleased.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Leeds

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Yon woman 'as a gob like a torn clog (ie talks too much)

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-64

Current location (optional) Wirral

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Sweets were sometime called 'spice'. As in 'Has ta getten any spice?'

After KGBS I went to agricultural college, and worked on farms around Silsden in the holidays. One instruction before some tractor-driving task was 'Na think on, tha mun nobbut gan reight pratla'. Which being translated, means 'Remember, proceed cautiously and circumspectly'. Or something like that.

Another piece of agricultural economic wisdom was 'Osses are cheap when they're working, and expensive when they're laiking, and tractors is t'other road abaht'.

Someone who was experiencing some of life's vicissitudes was said to be 'Noan in a reight good seam' - this last word being pronounced with two syllables, naturally. My mother and dad hailed from Wakefield and Burnley respectively (what in Silsden were referred to derisively as 'off-cummed 'uns), so this may reflect the local mining industries.

Someone trying to keep the peace amongst warring family members was 'Keeping t'cart ont wheels' or 'keeping t'band int nick'.

And someone thought to be not entirely sane or rational was often described as 'a shakken devil'. We had quite a few of those in Silsden!

Referring to Brian's previous posting, one of the local 'torn clog' women was memorably referred to as 'Joyce the voice'.

Many years ago there was transport cafe alongside the main road in Steeton. (this was told by my dad, so it must be true). A new driver on heating oil deliveries parked up, and was wondering around trying to find the oil tank. He was spotted by the proprietor.
'What's tha after, lad?'
''eating oil'.
'Ower this way'
.. and he took the driver into the cafe (the eating hoil).

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1957 - 62

Current location (optional) Rochdlae

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

That lass 'as two backs ! (ie she is flat chested)

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-64

Current location (optional) Wirral

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I still occasionally use "keep band int nick expression" Andrew. My NZ wife does not have a clue what I am on about. I do it on purpose of course, if I am in the mood, just for a bit of fun and she might respond with, "don't you start speaking Yorkshire here, you are in New Zealand now!" Cheers.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1947-51

Current location (optional) Auckland New Zealand

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Never come across the term "Shakken Devil" before. I was more used to hearing such unfortunates referred to as being "a bit short" (such as "elevenpence ha'penny to t'bob") or, in more extreme cases, "three sheets to t'wind" (presumably of nautical origin).

I assume "keepin' t'band i't'nick" to have originated in factories (most likely textile), where, when things went amiss, the belt had a tendency to come off its respective pulley on the overhead drive shaft. Someone out there may have a more confirmed explanation, however.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Dudley, West Midlands

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

When anyone seemed to be particularly incompetent my dad's favourite expression was "Nay, 'e's like a man med o' band."

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Leeds

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I well remember being the subject of that particular description, Shaun!
Another one was, "Tha'rt up an' dahn like a big silly lass".

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Dudley, West Midlands

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I too remember being upbraided, when not jumping immediately to some task, with "Frame thissen - tha's like a man med o' band"

I need to put more thought into my definition of "shakken". This was not aimed at those of reduced mental capacity, but rather people (usually young males) showing wild, irresponsible, and antisocial tendencies, with a predilection for unjustified risk-taking. Speeding motorists and bikers were a frequent target, also those (in those pre-H&S days) adopting dangerous, short-cut working practices. If you've ever seen the 50's film "Hell Drivers" (showing nightly at the Silsden Picture House), you'll know exactly the sort of character I mean.

Their views were frequently dismissed with "Oh 'im? 'E's bloody shakken!"

I've never seen the word in print, although it was in common use at the time. The spelling might well be "shacken". It might be a derivation of "shaken"?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1957 - 62

Current location (optional) Rochdlae

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I guess that band was string, or am I off track?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Leeds

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Hi Shaun, a furtherance of the man made o' band was the addition "tied up wi string."
I well recall the use of the term "shook" to describe a person of questionable sanity or normality.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Nirvana

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Band was definitely string, my mother worked at t'Band Mill in Haworth, Cotton Cords on Sun Street.

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

My mother- in- law, born and raised in the Worth Valley, was heard to say, on more than one occasion, "I'll be bonny and mad if......." .

The meaning is clear - but what is the origin of the imagery?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Nirvana

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Presumably, at the time, your mother-in-law considered herself neither bonny nor mad, despite your possible misgivings concerning the latter, Terry!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958 - 65

Current location (optional) Dudley, West Midlands

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Returning to Bernard's post on Jul 28, 2007 - my sense of the word "nark" was of someone who was a persistent irritant (the manager who was never satisfied with the job etc.) rather than simply someone who bemoaned his own lot. Was this how others viewed the term or did they apply it to any moaner?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Leeds

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Not sure about "bemoaned his own lot". Rather just moaned a lot.

Reminds me of a word I've been meaning to ask about: did anyone use the term "nerks" (? "nurks") to mean chips? I've never heard it used anywhere but my own village and even there not for about 50 years.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 54-59

Current location (optional) United Kingdom

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Finurks=Fish and chips

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1959-66

Current location (optional) Haworth

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Was surprised a few years ago to be behind an old fella in Greggs, Headingley. He finishes his request with '.....and gie us a couple o' growlers as well' She certainly knew what he meant. Do you ? In fact it prompted me to have one too. Theres nowt like a decent growler.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-64

Current location (optional) Wirral

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Growlers? Pork pies of course!'ad tha' nivver 'eard on 'em afore?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958 -65

Current location (optional) Embsay Nr. Skipton

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Nivver 'ad in mi Keighley days Brian. Jack Hird used to deliver us meat, including them, but ah nivver knew 'em as growlers.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-64

Current location (optional) Wirral

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Could it be because they caused an intestinal rumble?

There wer some grand growler (pieces of growler) available in the buffet at the recent (yesterday) kbgs reunion - another success down to Doug Thompson.

Get thissens theer next year - numbers are falling due to Annie Domini and it would be a shame that fewer Keighlians than hitherto fore enjoy the fleshpots so tastefully served up at this annual event.

Get thissens theer!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Nirvana

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

There wer some grand growler (pieces of growler) available in the buffet at the recent (yesterday) kbgs reunion - another success down to Doug Thompson.


I wouldn't be brave enough to tell you what a growler is down this part of the world! Pleased to hear that the re-union went off well and look forward to seeing a few pics soon. Cheers.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1947-51

Current location (optional) Auckland, New Zealand

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

As far as I'm aware there has only ever been one mention on this site (by Dave Baldwin) of the scrattin' shed at KRLFC. When I was a child it just seemed part of our language. I assumed scrattin' sheds were everywhere (whatever they were).
My father said it was Keighley for "scratching shed". But what did that mean?
Can anyone enlighten me as to the origin of the term, and why it should be used at a RL ground?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Leeds

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

There's a scratting shed at Wharfedale RUFC - is this a common name for the basic weather shelter provided for loyal supporters who prefer to provide an afternoon of shrewd advice to the ref in contrast to the more refined comments from the 'stand'?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Embsay Nr Skipton

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

I don't know the answer to Shaun's question but I suspect it could be a transfer of usage from agricultural to sporting events - although there was a theatre (flicks) in Batley with a scratting shed.

A cry that came out from Lawkholme's scratting shed was - "come on the steam pigs" - ie a hot scrum on a frosty day

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Nirvana

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

Others have scratched their heads over your question Shaun:

http://i.rlfans.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=564118

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 54-59

Re: Yorkshire words and sayings.

As a lifelong poultry farmer, a "Scrattin" shed would be just that ,a covered ,dry , shed, for the old hens to "Scrat" about in .No doubt Agricultural origin.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 43-46

Current location (optional) Tasmania