Thread: Brits: Turrah
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Old 08-30-2008, 06:42 AM   #33
Sundae
polaroid of perfection
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 24,185
Actually in the South we use the word pouf (or poof) not puff :p

Yes, I am a Southerner, but hard as nails me, from a proper East End family. My Grandad is a genuine, certified Cockney, born as he was within the sound of Bow bells. Dana & Monster will attest I have no identifiable accent, but in the brief clip of my Dad on Boxing Day you can definitely hear the Londoner in him.

Monster I disagree re the Newcastle accent - I think it's one people either love or loathe. I happen to love it. I can't think of an acccent I dislike though. I did have a violent aversion to Aussies for a while when my evil ex moved one into his flat during one of our breaks. I blamed a whole continent for his perfidy rather than aiming my anger in the right direction. I'm long over that now.

I'll add to the information about Newcastle.
Down here, it's seen as another country. The people up there - especially the men - don't feel the cold. This is despite the fact is is actually much colder there than in the South. They walk around in t-shirts in the middle of winter, arms so tattooed they look like lumps of Stilton cheese. The diet is one of the worst in the country, rivalling Scotland in its delight for deep fried items. Unemployment is higher, house prices are lower and supermarkets sell unbranded items in economy sized packs. Shopping trolleys live in canals and children's playgrounds are paved with broken glass. The local dialect is damn near unintelligible and the sound of a Southern accent brings hostile stares and accusations of snobbery. Football is worshipped and art is suspected. The people are clannish and sentimental - once accepted you are treated as family.

Well, that's the general view anyway.

I've been there - there's an element of truth in the above, but mostly it's an unfair and blinkered view. I think it's perpetuated by ex-Geordies moving to London, who whinge on about how shite everything is in the South and how great but tough life back home is.
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