Last weekend we asked the followers of our MyTyrone Facebook page to come up with some phrases that you hear and you know instantly the person is from the county.
We had some great responses, so we thought we would share some of the best ones for you to have a laugh at.
They say us Co Tyrone folk are cut from a different cloth, something we’re very much proud of, and our vocabulary is one sure sign of that.
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Even within the county there are wild swings between some of the phrases you’ll hear in Sion Mills compared to what you’ll get down by the shores of Lough Neagh.
However we’ve done our best to compile some of the most popular responses here:
Blades, cutties and cubs
This could be the biggest difference between those from the West and East of the county - girls are ‘blades’ the closer you get to Lough Neagh, but in and around Omagh you’re more likely to hear ‘cutties’.
Cubs are universal, however!
Using ‘like’ at the start and end of every sentence
Like do you know what I mean like? While this adds absolutely nothing of value to the sentence, it’s a sure fire sign that a Co Tyrone person is in the conversation.
Foundered
Although this one is sure to be found in other parts of Northern Ireland, Co Tyrone people love a good ‘foundering’
‘Cold’ or ‘freezing’ for people in more inferior parts of the world…
Tara/That’s a tara
This is definitely one the older generation love, and it can be used in a whole range of circumstances.
Generally used at a sense of amazement at something that is hard to believe, for good or bad reasons.
Keep ‘er lit
Used as a great phrase of encouragement for fellow Co Tyrone people, whether it be at a sporting occasion or someone just telling you you’re doing a great job at life.
Wile
This one has a couple of variations depending on what part of the country you’re from. For some it’s an alternative to ‘very’ - as in ‘that’s wile bad craic hi’.
For others it’s an adjective in itself, along the same lines of ‘tara’ above e.g ‘that’s wile hi’.
Holy ghost
Native to a small section of the population in the eastern part of Co Tyrone, ‘holy ghost’ has lost its religious meaning in this part of the world.
Generally just chucked in at random stages throughout the day if you’re from the Ardboe or Moortown direction.
Rooking
Perhaps more of a niche one that you don’t hear as much these days, but all the more entertaining when you hear it.
If someone says they are ‘rooking’ they are in need of a substantial meal very soon.
Sir/sur
One for those from the west of the county mostly, particularly in and around the Castlederg area, mostly tagged on at the end of a lot of sentences.
Sentences ending in hi
This one is heard throughout the length and breadth of Co Tyrone, and one you’d better start using if you wanted to fit in hi!
Windies
Quite a simple wee one that we have managed to make our own. Life is too long for a full pronunciation of the word ‘windows’.
Scundered
If you take a trip up to Belfast you’ll find an entirely different definition of this word. But we all know the true meaning of ‘scundered’ is extremely bored.
We’re scundered of telling those in the city that they’re wrong.
Have any other Co Tyrone sayings that we haven’t included here? Let us know in the comments or send us a message!
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