Bradford words & sayings
A light-hearted guide to the Yorkshire words, sayings and local lore you'll come across around Bradford, and how (not) to use them on a date.
Yorkshire words
- Ey up
- A classic Yorkshire hello, short for something like 'hey, look up'. It's friendly and informal.
- In dating: Opening a first message with "ey up" is a warm, light way to say hello. Just don't overdo it if you're not local.
- Nowt
- Nothing. Say it as 'nowt' to rhyme with 'out'.
- In dating: If a match says they're up to "nowt much" at the weekend, they're free for a coffee.
- Owt
- Anything, the opposite of nowt.
- In dating: "Do you fancy owt to eat?" is a perfectly good way to ask someone out for a meal.
- Reyt
- Right, but also very or proper. Something that's really good is reyt good.
- In dating: Describing a first date as "reyt good" is high praise in West Yorkshire.
- Mardy
- Sulky or grumpy, often in a mild, teasing way.
- In dating: Teasing a match that they sound a bit mardy is only safe once you've built some rapport. Keep it light.
- Ginnel
- A narrow passage between buildings, like an alley or footpath.
- In dating: Directions that include "down the ginnel" are a sign you're local. Be clear about where to meet.
- Champion
- Excellent or great. A very Yorkshire way to say well done.
- In dating: A quick "champion" in reply to a suggested time and place means you're on.
Bradford lore and landmarks
- Salts Mill
- A huge Victorian wool mill in Saltaire, now home to galleries, shops and cafés, including a large collection of David Hockney's work.
- In dating: A wander round the mill followed by a coffee makes an easy, relaxed first date. Check opening times before you go.
- Saltaire
- A Victorian model village built beside the River Aire for the mill workers, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- In dating: Strolling the streets and riverside is a lovely, low pressure first date, with cafés and tea rooms close by.
- Lister Park
- A grand Victorian park north of the city centre, with a boating lake, formal gardens and Cartwright Hall art gallery.
- In dating: A walk round the lake is a classic first date. Check opening times if you want to visit the gallery.
- The Bantams
- The nickname of Bradford City, who play at Valley Parade. Loyalty runs deep, and so does the history.
- In dating: It's worth knowing early whether your date follows the club. Match days are busy, so check the fixtures before you plan.
- Little Germany
- A district of grand Victorian warehouses built by wool merchants, many of them from Germany, close to the city centre.
- In dating: A wander round the streets, then a coffee, is an easy first date with plenty to look at.
- Curry houses
- Bradford is well known for its curry houses, many of them family run, with Manningham Lane and the streets around it a famous spot to eat.
- In dating: A curry is a friendly, relaxed first date. Pick somewhere busy and ask your date what they like before you book.
- Brontë Country
- The moors and villages around Haworth, where the Brontë sisters lived and wrote, a short drive from Bradford.
- In dating: A day out at Haworth is a good second date idea, with cobbled streets, tea rooms and big skies. Check opening times before you go.
- Yorkshire pudding
- A baked batter pudding traditionally served with roast beef and gravy, and the heart of a proper Sunday roast.
- In dating: Suggesting a Sunday roast is a friendly second date idea. Ask how they like theirs, but expect strong opinions.
Words change from one part of West Yorkshire to the next, and what you hear in Bradford isn't always what you hear in Keighley or Halifax. Got a favourite we've missed? Tell us when you join.
Don't be shy. Go and meet someone.
Put a few of these to use with singles who'll know exactly what you mean.