Cod Almighty | Postbag

Postbag: the use and abuse of language

22 November 2009

In the latest postbag, you haul the coals over a couple of long running Cod Almighty issues, and make sure we are aware of a Fishy one. Quiet, isn't it?

To make some noise, send us an email.

Home news from abroad

Love the Grimmo dictionary! I use nunty a lot and didn't realise that it seems to be unique to Grimsby dialect as when I use it people look at me gone out! Def 1970s usage with crimpolene and nylon dresses and nhs glasses.

Moved to London in late 1980s, still live here, and still defending Grimsby. The most annoying thing is that Londoners think everyone 'up north' either has a Brummy or Yorkshire accent. I like to play a guessing game as to where I am from when they ( mainly london cabbies) say "Are you from up north?" Like Golden Shot ... "Up a bit, down a bit, lower than Newcastle, out a bit, near the sea." Usually when I say "fish and chips" they get it and say "Ah, grimsbe" like Sheffuld peps would say "Barnslee". It drives me nuts and I have to give them a grammar lesson!!

I haven't seen any fishing type contribution - there must be loads but here's a couple to get you started: "She's got a Mouth like the dock gates" referring to a woman who can't keep a secret; a gobby lass with a mouth as big and open as the Docks gates ( around 1950's use) "Voice like a fog horn". The Dock foghorn could be heard all around Grimsby when it was a foggy night to warn ships, therefore meaning a very loud voiced person, usually female.

There are also lots of sayings about fisherwives- uncomplimentary connotations.

from Louise W

Letters Ed responds: Clearly, any resemblance between a Town striker and Golden Shot is purely coincidental.

The age of irony is not dead

i was tort english buy miss boyd!!! ;)

She actually did a good job, I had Mrs Bateson too for a short time.

from Dean

Letters Ed responds: Track that down to the Diary of 3 July if you want to know what Dean is on about.

Other Grimsby Town websites are available

You've probably seen this, but just in case. I wasn't searching for Town related stuff, this was one of the top links on the Yahoo portal.

On 5 live, they had an "actor" reading out that letter and John Tondeur interviewed. If only Town's PR team could drum up interest like this on a regular basis then they'd have new sponsors banging on the door!

from Rich Mills

Letters Ed responds: Yes, once the Mariners got publicity for being an unfashionable club that beat pretentious ones, or for having a manager who throws chicken sandwiches at his best player, now we get it for how narked off we are. Thanks also to Ian Jackson for making sure we hadn't missed the rant.

And so the postbag is empty, once again. If you believe in postbags, clap your hands.