17 Words and Phrases That Only Make Sense to Bristolians

Meaning: My darling, my dear, mate. This is a term of endearment and can be used for your family member, friends, acquaintances, random strangers.

How to use: “Alright me lover?”

Meaning: A way of putting emphasis on something; used in the same way as ‘really’ or ‘very’.

How to use: “Gert lush!”

Meaning: Very, very nice. Something that is pleasing to one’s eye.

How to use: See above. (Double points for using both.)

Meaning: Another term of endearment meaning baby, babe, love. You get the picture.

How to use: “Alright me babber?”

Meaning: Isn’t it just. Used a lot at the end of sentences or in response to something.

How to use: “How cool is that combine ‘arvester? Innit?”

Meaning: Bristol.

How to use: “Brizzle born an’ proud, me babber.” See what we’re doing here?

Meaning: No, this isn’t referring to something you do with a car. Or the award-winning Ryan Gosling film. This is actually what the locals in Bristol use when they’re thanking bus drivers and taxi drivers.

How to use: “Cheers, drive!”

Meaning: A word that means really, really great.

How to use: “That’s mint, that is.”

Meaning: Again, this is used to describe something that’s really good and pleasing to the local Bristolian.

How to use: “‘Ere mate, that’s proper.”

Meaning: Where is it?

How to use: Can also be used to locate a person: “Where’s ‘e to?”

Meaning: To put emphasis on something you’ve said.

How to use: “Asda closes in an hour, mind!”

Meaning: Bedminster, an area south of the river in Bristol.

How to use: “Fancy a few pints down Bemmie la’er, me lover?”

Meaning: No, this isn’t referring to the three-sided shape. This is actually another area in Bristol, at the very top of Park St.

How to use: “I saw him out on the Triangle last night, mind!”

Meaning: No, not the classic MTV TV show where celebs show you around their houses, this is in fact talking about Cribbs Causeway, a big shopping mall in Bristol.

How to use: “Fancy some shopping at Cribbs later?”

Meaning: Someone who supports Bristol Rovers football team.

How to use: “Alright, Gashead?”

Meaning: Only the very best chip van in the whole of Bristol. Where you go after a night on the Triangle (see three points above).

How to use: “‘Ere mate, I fancy some cheesy chips.”; “Let’s go to Jason Donervan then, innit!”

Meaning: Someone who is very studious and eager to please. Used a lot through your school years.

How to use: “I’ve done all of my reading for this week already.”; “Whoa, kenner!”