Bostin! Mysteries of Black Country dialect solved in new film
They are phrases that roll off the tongue in this part of the world - but many outsiders have been left scratching their heads after coming into contact with the Black Country dialect.
But for anyone left feeling 'alf baerked or reduced to crying like a babby when trying to get their head around Black Country sayings are being offered a helping hand.
Bloke – Man
Conk – Nose
Caerke'ole Mouth
Gray Pays un Baircon – Grey peas and bacon (traditional Black Country dish)
Jammy – Lucky
Maergrum – Moodiness/pulling a face
Muwer – More
Pace – Sandwiches
Sprog – Child
On yer Tod – On your own
Fittle – Food
Bostin – Brilliant
Bob-owler – Large moth
Wench – Woman
Got a cob on – In a foul mood
Blarting – Crying
Argy-bargy – Fight
Bist yow – Are you
Cut – Canal
Duwer – Door
Fizzog – Face
Nesh – Feeling the cold
Oss – Horse
Any road up – Anyway
A new film charting the history of the famous Black Country dialect and explaining some of its phrases is being created by experts from Aston University along with youngsters from the the West Bromwich-based LearnPlay Foundation.
The project was given the green light after the Heritage Lottery Fund agreed to put more than £30,000 towards it.
Young people from the LearnPlay Foundation came up with the idea as a way of defending their beloved tongue after experiencing negative reactions to their way of speaking.
Once voted the least attractive accent in the country, they feared it could hamper their employment opportunities.
As a well as an interactive film, a game centred around the dialect will also be made, giving people the opportunity to learn more about some of the more peculiar sayings around these parts.
Asked what she thought of the fact the project she is involved in had been awarded tens of thousands of pounds in funding, Shannon Hadlington, from the foundation, stayed true to her roots, saying: "I car believe it."
She added that she hoped the project would 'mek people realise we am clever folk'.
The DVD will see historians delve into the origins of the Black Country dialect, how it has changed over time and the views of it across the United Kingdom. Local people will also feature using the dialect and providing an insight into what it means to them and to the people they meet.
Reyahn King, head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, said: "This is an excellent example of a project funded through our Young Roots programme. Not only does it enable the young people involved to discover the heritage behind their unique way of speaking, but also to make a creative and lasting impact on an issue that matters to them. We're delighted to play a funding role thanks to National Lottery players."
In 2008, the Black Country and Birmingham accent was voted as the 'least cool' in the country along with the Scouse accent. A study also revealed last year that the way of speaking in the Black Country was considered the least attractive.
People from other parts of the country traditionally struggle to understand those with thick Black Country accents.
