How many of these classic Mancunian insults and put-downs have you been on the receiving end of?
Are you likely to dish out a ‘do one’ or tell someone their new haircut is bobbins? Perhaps you regularly refer to the large group of youths doing wheelies by the park as a bunch of ‘scrotes’?
If so, then you are certainly well-versed in the lexicon of Mancunian insults and put-downs. For decades, two of the city’s most famous sons, Liam and Noel Gallagher, have regularly displayed their expertise in mixing up some rustic Anglo Saxon with a classic Manc insult.
This week, it was reported that the University of Sheffield is compiling a “swear map” of regional words and phrases across the UK. The academics involved hope to create a snapshot of how English is spoken in 2026, at a time when they say the language is evolving faster than ever.
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They’ve even set up a link for people to contribute their local salty language, particularly if it is specific to a town or city and may not be known elsewhere.
Around Manchester, as well as liberally peppering our sentences with swear words commonly heard throughout the UK, we’ve also had our own, let’s say, more creative insults and put-downs to add to the linguistic mix.
So if you’re looking for the perfect put-down to describe your mate who just won’t stop scrikin’ (crying), then you might find it in our list below.
1. ‘Angin
Usage: ‘She’s had nine jagerbombs and a kebab. She’s proper ‘angin’
Describes the dreadful feeling that follows a hangover or overindulgence. Also used to describe something unpleasant or rough-looking.
2. Cob on
Usage: ‘Why’s our kid gone home?’
‘No idea, he’s got a right cob on.’
When someone is being grumpy, bad-tempered, miserable or sulking, they are said to have a ‘cob on’. (And more often than not, a ‘right cob on’)
3. Couldn’t stop a pig in a ginnel
Usage: ‘The state of Frank’s legs in those jeans. He couldn’t stop a pig in a ginnel’
A colourful way of describing someone with bandy legs.
4. Do one / off you pop
Usage: ‘You’re doing me ‘ead in. Do one.’
Typically deployed when you want someone to leave or be quiet.
5. Give your ‘ead a wobble
Usage: “Lager and lime? Give your ‘ead a wobble!”
Telling someone to reconsider their actions or decisions.
6. Is it ‘eck as like
Usage: ‘The Printworks is the best night out in Manchester’
‘Is it ‘eck as like’
To express strong disagreement with something or what somebody has said.
7. Mardy
Usage: ‘I can’t be fussed hanging around with Donna, she’s being a right mardy get’
When somebody is being soft, a cry baby or won’t stop sulking.
8. Mingin’
Usage: ‘The toilets in there are mingin”
Describing something that is horrible/revolting/unpleasant.
9. Daft ‘apeth
Usage: ‘He dropped his phone in his pint again, the daft ‘apeth’
Describing a foolish or silly person, but usually in a light hearted way. Also sometimes pronounced as daft ha’p’orth.
10. Rank
Usage: ‘That pub is well rank’
Describing something that is disgusting.
11. Shut yer cake ‘ole
Usage: ‘I wish Liam would shut his cake ‘ole. He’s always scrikin’ over that bird.’
Telling somebody to be quiet.
12. Snide
Usage: ‘Give us a chip, don’t be snide’
Accusing somebody of being tight or ungenerous.
13. Mither
Usage: ‘I can’t be mithered with town’
When something is too much hassle/aggravation/effort.
14. ‘What did they cut your hair with, a knife and fork?’
Quite self explanatory, but a question asked to somebody you think has had a poor haircut.
15. Seen their a**e
Usage: “Well someone’s seen their a**e haven’t they”?
They are annoyed.
16. Peckin’
Usage: ‘You’re peckin’ me ‘ead.’
You are annoying me.
17. Stop ya chattin’
Stop talking a load of rubbish.
18. More life in a tramp’s vest
Usage: “I’ve seen more life in a tramp’s vest”
You probably heard this a lot during your moping, teenage years for being too lethargic and not enthusiastic enough for your mum or dad.
19. Strop
Usage: “She threw a strop soon as I got in.”
An outburst or tantrum.
20. Bobbins
Usage: “That film was bobbins.”
Not very good.
21. Chufty bag
Usage: ‘What were you expectin’ – a chufty bag?’
A non-existent medal for doing something insignificant and expecting a reward.
22. Scrotes
Usage: ‘Some little scrotes are hanging about outside.’
A delinquent group of youths that are up to no good. Also Scallies.
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