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

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

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

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

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

Current location (optional) Wirral

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finurks=Fish and chips

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

Current location (optional) Haworth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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