Mackem insults you’ll hear in Sunderland, which ones do you recognise?
The Mackem dialect is an extension of Northumbrian English which developed in the Sunderland area. Although it has much in common with other local dialects, such as that of Newcastle and North County Durham, it nonetheless has enough unique characteristics to stand on its own. It is a fear, however, that with the globalisation and the standardisation of communications, local dialects are gradually disappearing due to the hegemony of American English over global culture.
Because of this, Mackem culture and dialects are a part of this city’s heritage, and must be preserved. Here, we list a number of “insults” that are often strongly associated with, or exclusive to Sunderland. You will have probably heard them all from your schoolboy days at one point.
Divvy
A stupid person, an idiot.
Spenk
Another term referring to a stupid pereon
Radgie or Radge
Originating from “Rage”. Although literally meaning someone who is angry, it refers to someone who is mad or mental
Dodgepot
Meaning dodgy, or distrustworthy.
Knacker
Another generic insult for a stupid person or an idiot which originated as a pejorative for travelling communities
Sub
Presumed to be short for “subordinate”, meaning beneath, lacking, stupid.
Meth/Meff
Someone who is dirty or unhygienic, more considered a schoolboy tier insult.
Lifting
Not anything to do with actual “lifting” something but a metaphorical term used to describe somewhere or something that is extremely dirty and smells bad. In other words, the smell is so bad it “lifts you.”
Look at the clip of that
A term referring to someone or something that looks a mess or a state
It’s Rank
Nothing to do with actual “rankings” but again another term to refer to something that is extremely dirty or unclean. The sound and connotation of “rank” seem to originate from something that is rotten or contaminated.
Wrang’un
Originating from “Wrong One” and thus “Wrong’un“. A term used to describe a person who is seriously immoral, usually a criminal.
Nebby
A nosey person wanting to know everyone’s business
Workyticket
A trouble maker, someone who seeks to cause disruption or is a nuisance.
Bibliography and sources
- The Mackem Dictionary
- Sunderland Echo
- Newcastle Chronicle
- Personal experience and memory
- Ready to go (RTG) Forum, where many of these words are still used
