What Is Dialect?

Posted On 23/04/2026

By Nikki Wordsmith
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Dialect means a variety of a language spoken in a specific region, social group, or community.

It often includes unique words also known as vocabulary. Then, pronunciations, and sometimes grammar rules that differ from the standard form of the language.

Here are some popular words and terms connected to “dialect” — both words that describe or relate to the concept of dialects from linguistics and common examples of dialect-specific words people use in everyday speech, rewritten with authentic Lancashire (Lanky) dialect examples drawn from talkdialect.co.uk and similar reliable sources.

Words related to the concept of dialect, synonyms and linguistic terms

These are words often used when talking about dialects:

• Accent — Focuses more on how words sound like a proper Lanky twang!.
• Vernacular — Everyday local speech of a group or place.
• Patois — A regional dialect, often mixed bit like some Lanky sayings.
• Jargon — Special words used by a particular crowd like mill workers’ talk back in t’ day.
• Lingo — Informal term for a group’s special words.
• Idiom — Expressions unique to a place e.g. “fair clemmed” for starving hungry.
• Slang — Trendy, casual words often from youth or locals.
• Brogue — Strong regional accent (some folk say Lanky has a right brogue!).
• Argot — Secret slang of a group.
• Cant — Special language of a group (like old weavers’ cant).

Popular examples of dialect-specific words Lancashire style!

Many folk think of dialects when they hear words that change by place. Here are some gradely (great/proper) well-known ones from Lancashire dialect (especially as shared on talkdialect.co.uk community page:

• Greetings & how folk are
  • “Ey up, are y’alreet?” → Hello, are you alright? / How are you? (Classic Lanky hello!)
  • “Ah’reet cocker?” or “Ah’reet cock?” → Alright mate?
  • “Alreet” → Hello or alright.
• Food & hunger
  • “I’m fair clemmed, get us some scran.” → I’m really hungry, get me some food.
  • “Barm” or “Teacake” → A bread roll (not just for tea!).
  • “Babby” → Baby (but also used fondly).
• People & descriptions
  • “Tha’s nowt but a soft bugger.” → You’re just a soft/gentle/silly person (usually said with affection, not mean!).
  • “Lad” → Boy.
  • “Laikin’” → Playing (e.g., “Are you comin’ to laik at football?”).
  • “Lanky” → Awkwardly tall person.
• Other everyday bits
  • “Gradely” → Great, proper, super (a featured Lanky word — everything’s gradely when it’s good!).
  • “A-be, bi thersell” → Alone/by yourself.
  • “Abeawt” → About.
  • “Aboon” → Above.
  • “Ackersprit” → Potato.
  • “Addle” → Earn (or sometimes drunk/addled!).

These words show how Lancashire dialect makes language right colourful and tied to where someone grew up — full of warmth, humour, and a bit of grit from mill towns and moors.

If you’re after more on a specific bit like food words, greetings, or sayings from a certain part of Lancashire see the full Lancashire County Community Dialect Page at Talk Dialect, a new people-powered national dialect record and revitalising initiative which is launching today.

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