People from North Tyneside are generally called Geordies. The term refers to natives or inhabitants of the Tyneside area, which includes North Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead, and South Tyneside. While traditionally associated with Newcastle, the identifier applies to people in the surrounding area who share the local dialect and cultural identity.
“Howay man”– This phrase means many things depending on the tone. It could mean “hurry up” or “get off it”. “Wey aye man”– Or simply “wey aye”, is an excited way of saying “yes, of course”. “Pet”– A term of endearment, used in the same way as “dear” or “my love”.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a Geordie is 'A native or inhabitant of Tyneside or a neighbouring region of north-east England', or 'The dialect or accent of people from Tyneside, esp. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, or (more generally) neighbouring regions of north-east England. '
Local Folklore has it that a Geordie is someone born on the north side of the Tyne, within a 1 mile radius of Newcastle. Dictionaries also record that the word is used to describe natives of Tyneside, or things pertaining to Tyneside.
Geordies say "pet" as a common, affectionate term of endearment, similar to "dear," "love," or "mate," used to address people, often younger individuals or strangers, to show friendliness, especially when their name is unknown. It's a regional linguistic marker of the North East of England, stemming from a general fondness for calling people by affectionate nicknames, and is part of the rich local dialect, though it can sometimes be seen as patronizing by outsiders.
Probably the most noticeable feature of Geordie grammar is a confusing difference in pronoun forms. The term us is used to indicate a singular "me", while the plural form for "us" is wu or even wuz. So give us it means 'give me it' and give wu it means 'give us it'.
Technically, it's full of grammatical errors (i.e. replacing 'me' with 'us') Despite a variety of theories, it is unknown why the Geordie accent is called so. Some say it's to do with the region's support of King George I in the 18th century but this has never been confirmed.
You'll often hear us say 'gan canny, man”, used to say goodbye, take care or take it easy. Belta is another term meaning something is excellent. Belta is the Geordie form of belter used to mean “impressive” or “exceptional” since the late 19th century.
Watter: Water. Wes: Was. Wesh: Wash. Wey: Geordie spelling and pronunciation of the interjection “well” as in “wey ye knaa” (well, you know) or “wey-aye” (well yes).
“Radge” (see also: 'gan radge') – generally crazy, angry or really mad (for Glasgow friends, almost the equivalent of 'bampot', I think – “he's a proper radge = he's a total bampot).
'I'm absolutely clamming. ' Used when feeling extremely hungry or thirsty, this Geordie phrase has reached much of the North East and even slightly further afield.
