TEXT : PAIGE CRONIN ILLUSTRATOR : LILLY COOPER
MAPOFGAB
Here we take a look at the words and phrases used around the various regions and countries of Britain , some of which are strange and funny , and some just bizarre ! The British are known for their sense of humour , wit and sarcasm , and these are sometimes lost on other cultures . Each region has their distinct accents , common phrases and their own lingo , but how well do you really know the Britain ?
Fernitickles - Are you fernitickled ? This is the scottish word for freckles , and comes from the resemblance freckles have to the ticks and dots on fern plants .
Drooth - Much left sonny , an I ’ ve still a terrible drouth upon me … this Scottish phrase translated means there ’ s not much drink left and I ’ m still terribly thirsty !
Wet the tea -The phrase means to make the tea it comes from the practice of wetting tea leaves in the bottom of the pot .
Stop chobblin ’ your sweets - If you spent your childhood in Birmingham , you may have heard this regularly from your disgruntled mother when crunching your rhubarb and custards .
Grockle - Is an informal term for a tourist , named after Grockle the dragon from children ’ s cartoon , Danny and his Grockle . It originated in Dorset when a local used the nickname for a small elderly lady who regularly attended the swimming pool he worked at during the summer . Overtime this became a generalised term for summer visitors .