Accrington Web - Old local expressions

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Re: Old local expressions

To be taken badly... think it means to feel unwell.

Re: Old local expressions

a right kerfuffle - an upset or a bit of fuss over nothing

Re: Old local expressions

get a clout /a clip round the earhole/ a right pasting - corporal punishment usually given out by dad!

Re: Old local expressions

lugs -ears (I think)!

Re: Old local expressions

Does anyone know anything about 'Joe Soap'? As in, "Who's that"? "It's Joe Soap" when you don't know the person's name.

Re: Old local expressions

Quote:

Originally Posted by annesingleton (Post 993415)

Does anyone know anything about 'Joe Soap'? As in, "Who's that"? "It's Joe Soap" when you don't know the person's name.

This is what Wikipedia has to say, Anne:

"Joe Soap" is British rhyming slang denoting a foolish stooge or scapegoat. Joe being an ordinary person, with Soap as a rhyme for dope. The phrase appeared in a 1943 book of military slang by John Hunt and Alan Pringle: “Joe Soap, the ‘dumb’ or not so intelligent members of the forces. The men who are ‘over-willing’ and therefore the usual ‘stooges’.” The name Joe Soap appears in the WW1 song "Joe Soap's Army" sung to the tune of "Onward Christian Soldiers". ("Forward, Joe soap's army, marching without fear, with our brave commander, safely in the rear.")

Like many of the expressions posted on here, I don't think it's as "local" as you might think.

Re: Old local expressions

Quote:

Originally Posted by susie123 (Post 993418)

During WW1, lots of soldiers from different parts of the country served in the same regiments, slang terms from some lads, would quickly be accepted by blokes who had never heard them before, especially if the were amusing, they would then use them when home on leave, or after discharge, & would soon spread round until it became accepted as a local saying. One such saying thats not used much today, "All my eye & Betty Martin", tha tawkin gibberish.

Retlaw.

Re: Old local expressions

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobertol (Post 992920)

I remember "tan your hide" - sounds like something from a western!:D

Or a Rolf Harris song;)

Re: Old local expressions

Someone in the way so you cant see something, "tha meks a better dooor than a winda"

Re: Old local expressions

Shut the door: Put wood i' t'hole.

Re: Old local expressions

Put thi windows on -glasses

Re: Old local expressions

Thank you Susie and Retlaw for the Joe Soap information, very interesting. It was a saying of my mum's and I wondered where it came from.

Re: Old local expressions

One on 'is own - someone who is a bit different.