'I’m a sandgrown’un, through and through' - residents reveal the sayings that give them away
From “sand grown’un” to Tower Ballroom devotees, Blackpool and the Fylde Coast have a language all of their own - residents share the phrases and sayings that instantly give away their seaside roots.
If you’ve ever spent time on the Fylde coast, you’ll know that the locals have a unique vocabulary that can give them away in an instant.
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Take “sand grown’un,” a term repeatedly mentioned by locals including Stephanie Sadler, who simply stated, “I’m a sand grown’un,” and Carol Newton who confirmed, “Sand grown in.”
It’s a badge of seaside identity, marking someone born and bred in the area.
Tony Brierley, said: “Sandgronian! seasider!”
Tony Jones, said: “Ordering a 'special' at Greasy Joes (It was a thing when i lived there, not sure if it still is).”
The famous Blackpool Tower and its ballroom also make frequent cameo appearances in local conversation.
Karen Wrigley, said: “Tower Ballroom,” while Peter Hessey-White refers to the “Metropole hotel,” demonstrating how landmarks pepper casual dialogue. And if you mention “the village,” Shona Woodfine says, “they know where you mean!”
Yasmine Langford pointed out, “This is an oldie but the word ‘nause’ is Blackpool slang which means ignore. Learnt this when I went to uni in Brighton and even the northerners had no idea what I meant!”
Accents and greetings, too, reveal origins. John Getty highlighted a classic local greeting: “Hey up lad how iss tha goin on.”
Even humour and local mischief shine through. Roy Turner reminisced about “Come back-end (of lights)…” while Paul Ryles Major joked, “We are donkey whalloppers.”