Eurovision 2023 is finally upon us and Liverpool is more than prepared to stage one of the world's greatest parties.
Liverpool is famed for its vibrant energy so the international song contest's arrival to the area is set to be a match made in heaven. Thousands of people will arrive in the region over the next week and will undoubtedly fall head over heels for our city's charms.
One of Liverpool's most distinctive features is our distinctive accent shaped by the large influx of Irish and Welsh immigrants that came to the city in the 19th century. People visiting Liverpool for the first time for Eurovision may at first be taken aback by the fast way we talk that can seem as though we’re speaking with a fiery passion about the most mundane subjects.
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However, the Liverpool dialect is one of our city’s most beautiful quirks and can act as a code as we have organically developed a unique way of talking that can immediately identify someone from the region. It adds to the mystique that the reasons behind certain scouse phrases are unknown but there is just something about saying “ice lolly” instead of “lolly ice” that doesn’t sit right with anyone from the city.
We have translated some commonly used scouse phrases below so anyone visiting for Eurovision can quickly understand and truly enjoy that famous Liverpudlian welcome.
Guide to 26 common scouse phrases
Arlarse - It's doubtful we'll see much of this over the next week, but this can be used when someone has been mean or out of order.
Bevvy - Will be consumed a lot during Eurovision, a bevvy is an alcoholic beverage.
Boss - Nothing to do with a manager of a company, boss is used to describe something that is great.
Cob on - Hopefully nobody will experience this while Eurovision is on, this means being mad.
Chocka - A versatile one that can be used to describe if somewhere is busy or stressed if your head is chocka.
Devoed - Another unlikely one until Eurovision is over, this is if you are devastated by something.
Divvy - A light-hearted put down aimed at someone after they have been stupid.
Eeee - A spontaneous sound made after being intensely grossed out.
Geg - Interrupting or listening into a private conversation.
G'wed - A term of encouragement short for go ahead or go on.
How are we - Can be said to just a single person, it just means how are you.
Is right - Used similarly to boss if something is great.
Jarg - Opposite to boss, can be used if something is terrible.
Lad or la - A friendly term that can be added on to the end of any sentence. Interchangeable with mate.
Made up - This will be said a lot during Eurovision as it’s how people from Liverpool describe being happy.
Minty - Not to be confused with how you’d describe toothpaste, this means something is dirty.
Nice one - Another way of saying thank you.
Ozzy - One to avoid during your stay, this means the hospital.
Scran - What people in the city use to describe food.
'Scuse me - An abbreviated way of saying excuse me.
Sound - Often said, this means good with me.
Ta'ra or Tra - A way to say goodbye as you part ways with a friend.
Trainees - The r in trainers is always dropped.
Webs - Another word for trainees, we talk about them a lot in Liverpool.
Wool - What defines a wool is subjective, but it generally just means someone not from Liverpool. Historically people who came from smaller towns outside the city were referred to as woolybacks, as they would carry woollen bales on their backs. However, it's now more often used based on how someone dresses or acts.
You alright? - A rhetorical question as Scousers use this as a way of saying hello rather than actually asking if someone is OK.
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