17 Words and Phrases That Only Make Sense to Bristolians
Ever been to Bristol and picked up that the locals pretty much have their own language? When people try to impersonate a Bristolian, they usually adopt a farmer-style twang, which is pretty much how the accent sounds! Just keep that in mind while you read through our guide to the handy Brizzle slang you need to know to get by.
Me lover
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?”
Gert
Meaning: A way of putting emphasis on something; used in the same way as ‘really’ or ‘very’.
How to use: “Gert lush!”
Lush
Meaning: Very, very nice. Something that is pleasing to one’s eye.
How to use: See above. (Double points for using both.)
Babber
Meaning: Another term of endearment meaning baby, babe, love. You get the picture.
How to use: “Alright me babber?”
Innit
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?”
Brizzle
Meaning: Bristol.
How to use: “Brizzle born an’ proud, me babber.” See what we’re doing here?
Drive
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!”
Mint
Meaning: A word that means really, really great.
How to use: “That’s mint, that is.”
Proper
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.”
Where’s it to?
Meaning: Where is it?
How to use: Can also be used to locate a person: “Where’s ‘e to?”
…mind
Meaning: To put emphasis on something you’ve said.
How to use: “Asda closes in an hour, mind!”
Bemmie
Meaning: Bedminster, an area south of the river in Bristol.
How to use: “Fancy a few pints down Bemmie la’er, me lover?”
The Triangle
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!”
Cribbs
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?”
Gashead
Meaning: Someone who supports Bristol Rovers football team.
How to use: “Alright, Gashead?”
Jason Donervan
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!”
Keener
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!”
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