Geordie Slang Meanings — Newcastle Dialect Print

Need Geordie slang meanings in plain English? This guide explains real Newcastle dialect words and sayings — the kind you hear on Tyneside every day. If you want them framed for a kitchen or hallway, see the Geordie sayings set of 3 prints, the Geordie sayings word map print, or the full regional sayings prints collection.

Geordie usually refers to the dialect of Newcastle upon Tyne and nearby Tyneside. It is distinct from other North East varieties (such as Mackem in Sunderland), though some words travel. Meanings below are everyday translations of real local usage — not made-up novelty slang.

Classic Geordie greetings

• Howay — Come on / let’s go / encouragement (very common).
• Whey aye / why aye — Yes, of course / absolutely.
• Alreet / a’reet — All right / hello / how are you.
• Hiya — Hello (friendly, informal).
• Gannin yem? — Going home?
• See yese later — See you later (yese = you plural).

People and everyday Geordie slang

• Canny — Good, nice, pleasant — or “quite” (“canny good”).
• Bairn — Child.
• Marra — Mate / friend (especially workmate).
• Pet — Affectionate term of address (like “love”).
• Hinny — Affectionate term, similar to pet / dear.
• Netty — Toilet / loo.
• Divvent — Don’t (“divvent worry”).
• Gan — Go (“gan on”).
• Hadaway — Go away / get away (can be disbelief or dismissal).
• Clamming — Hungry / starving.
• Radgie — Aggressive or angry person / losing your temper.

Funny Geordie sayings and phrases

• Howay the lads — Come on the boys — the Newcastle United rallying cry.
• Pure belter — Excellent / brilliant.
• It’s gey canny — It’s really good / rather nice.
• Am gannin doon the toon — I’m going into town (Newcastle city centre).
• What ye up to? — What are you doing?
• Give us a deeks — Let me have a look.
• Keep ya peckers up — Keep your spirits up (encouragement).
• Mortallium / mortal — Very drunk (strong local usage).
• Spelk — Splinter.
• Stot — Bounce (a ball that stots).

Tea, food and home

• Brew — Cup of tea.
• Scran — Food.
• Bap / stottie — Soft bread roll / large flat soft roll associated with the North East.
• Dunch — Bump into / collide lightly.
• Hoy — Throw (“hoy it ower here”).
• Tab — Cigarette.
• Chare — Narrow alley (historic Newcastle street name too).

Weather and getting about

• Hacky — Dirty / mucky.
• Nithered — Very cold (shared with wider Northern usage).
• Dreich — Dull, grey, miserable weather (also Scots; heard in the North East).
• Lashin’ down — Raining heavily.
• Yem — Home.
• The Toon — Newcastle (town).

Geordie slang meanings: quick starter set

Learn howay, whey aye, canny, bairn, marra, netty, divvent, gan, scran and yem and you can follow most friendly Geordie conversation. They are also the phrases that look best on a Geordie sayings print with the meaning beside each word.

Geordie sayings print for Newcastle dialect

Our Geordie wall art pairs dialect with clear English: a map-style layout on the Geordie sayings word map, letterpress-style slang, and a brew colour chart in local tea talk. Get all three in the Geordie sayings set of 3 prints — matching sizes, printed in the UK. Ideal gift for anyone from Newcastle, a Magpies fan, or someone who moved away from the Toon.

Compare other UK dialects in our regional sayings prints hub — Yorkshire, Cockney, Scouse and more.

FAQ

Is Geordie the same as Mackem? No. Geordie is associated with Newcastle/Tyneside; Mackem with Sunderland. Some vocabulary overlaps, but locals notice the difference.

Are these Geordie slang meanings accurate? Yes — everyday plain-English meanings for real dialect words. Local usage can vary street by street.

Where can I buy a Geordie sayings print? The set of 3 or word map, or shop all regional sayings prints.