Manchester words & sayings
A light-hearted guide to the Mancunian words, sayings and local lore you'll come across in the city and across Greater Manchester, and how (not) to use them on a date.
Mancunian words and sayings
- Our kid
- Your brother or sister, or a close mate you think of as family.
- In dating: Mentioning "our kid" on a first date? You're clearly close to your family. That's a good sign.
- Mither
- To bother, pester or fuss. "Stop mithering me" is a Manchester classic.
- In dating: One friendly message is keen. Ten in an hour is mithering.
- Buzzin'
- Really pleased or excited.
- In dating: If you're buzzin' after a first date, say so. It's nice to hear.
- Sound
- Fine, OK or good. Also used for a good, reliable person: "he's sound".
- In dating: "Sound" might not sound like much, but from a Mancunian it's high praise.
- Mint
- Brilliant, excellent.
- In dating: A mint first date is all anyone's hoping for.
- Dead
- Very, as in "dead nice" or "dead good".
- In dating: If they say you were dead nice to talk to, take the compliment.
- Ginnel
- A narrow passage or alleyway between houses.
- In dating: Maybe don't suggest meeting in one.
- Brew
- A cup of tea. "Fancy a brew?" is the start of most good conversations.
- In dating: "Fancy a brew?" is the lowest-pressure first date there is.
- Barm cake
- A soft bread roll, or just a barm. The chip barm is a local favourite.
- In dating: Knowing where to get a good barm is a genuinely attractive quality.
- Nesh
- Feels the cold easily.
- In dating: If they bring a big coat in June, they're a bit nesh. Lend them your scarf.
Manchester lore and traditions
- Cottonopolis
- Manchester's nickname in the 1800s, when the city was the centre of the world's cotton trade.
- In dating: The old mills in Ancoats are now flats, cafés and bars, and a great place for a first drink.
- The worker bee
- The bee has been a symbol of Manchester since the 1800s, standing for the city's hard work. You'll see it on bins, bollards and plenty of tattoos.
- In dating: Hard-working, loyal and sticks with the hive. Not a bad list for a partner either.
- The rain
- Manchester's famous for it, and locals are proud of how little it stops them.
- In dating: Always have a plan B indoors, and an umbrella big enough for two.
- Vimto
- The fruity soft drink was first made in Manchester in 1908. There's even a giant wooden Vimto bottle sculpture near the university.
- In dating: A Vimto with your chips is a very Mancunian date.
- Manchester tart
- A shortcrust pastry case with jam, custard and coconut, often with a cherry on top. A school dinner favourite.
- In dating: Suggest sharing one over a brew. Nostalgia is a great icebreaker.
- Castlefield
- The old part of the city where the Romans built their fort and the Bridgewater Canal arrived in the 1760s.
- In dating: The canal towpaths and viaducts make a lovely first date walk.
- The Northern Quarter
- The district of independent shops, cafés, bars and street art between Piccadilly and Ancoats.
- In dating: Plenty of quiet corners for a coffee, and the murals give you something to talk about.
- Madchester
- The music and club scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s that put the city on the map.
- In dating: Ask what they were listening to back then. It's a great way to swap stories.
- Uncle Joe's Mint Balls
- Hard mint sweets made in Wigan since the late 1800s, sold in their famous tins.
- In dating: The tin says they keep you all aglow. Worth a try on a cold walk.
Words change from town to town, and what you hear in Wigan isn't always what you hear in Stockport. Got a favourite we've missed? Tell us when you join.
Don't be shy. Go and meet someone.
Put a few of these to use with singles who'll know exactly what you mean.