Cornish Dialect
This page contains our collection of Cornish Dialect words and sayings but there is other material just a click way so why not check it out. Much of this has been collected from many sources by Paul Phillips the former Dialect Recorder for the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies.
Cornish Dialect Words and Phrases
Click on a letter link below and the link will open a pdf file.
Several other resources are available to those interested in researching the Cornish Dialect,
Additional Cornish Dialect Information - Click Link - Dialect Books and Publications
Youth
What do’st ee think thee’s doin’ down there?
An’ who’s that git larrups with the spiky ‘air?
I b’lieve ‘e’s got studs in ‘is ears,
An’ wha’s that in ‘is nose?
‘e looks like they pigs up t’ farmer Rowe’s.
That bit a beard’s like an’ ol’ nanny goat,
An’ his jacket’s as flash as Jacob’s coat.
Well bless my soul. ‘Ansome you say?
You got some funny notions,
You need glasses. Make an appointment today.
I seen you creepin’ down th’ ‘edge
Like some hardened bull ‘orn.
Were you geekin’ at ‘e with is head all shorn?
Seems ‘e’s a bray ol’ trial to ‘is weary Dad
I was frightened t’ see ‘im, ‘e used to be such a nice polite lad,
Now ‘e tells more lies than Tom Pepper, of that everyone knows.
‘is shirt’s scat abroad, an jus’ jus’ look at ‘is clothes.
‘E got rips in ‘is trousers an’ unlaced boots on ‘is feet,
When we ‘ad ‘im up school ‘is Mother made sure ‘e was neat.
I dunno what ‘appened ‘t’is fashion ‘e says.
What turned ‘im like ‘at? ‘ow’d ‘e get t’ look that way?
I’m behind the times my Gandaughter said,
But i’m sure, I dunno what goes on in their ‘eads.
What happened to white shirts an’ a nice little tie?
Bit o’ Brylcream in yur ‘air, an’ a glint in y’ur eye?
P’r’aps I am old, but know what? I don’t really care.
I like t’ see ‘em clean, an’ tidy, so I could take ‘em anywhere
Val Lutey - First published on Facebook