Speak Newfoundland Slang
Do you have family or friends on the East Coast (Newfoundland)? Can't understand them or want to get into their lingo? Here are some tips on how to speak "Newfinese" or "The Newfie Slang"
Steps
- Research what some of their sayings mean. Such as, "You got me drove, b'y!" That means, "You're getting on my nerves" or "You are being annoying/ You are annoying me".
- Watch a couple of Newfoundland videos. There are plenty of videos on YouTube of people from Newfoundland talking.
- Visit Newfoundland. Depending on where you are, the accents vary. In some parts of Newfoundland, such a St. John's, they speak "Townie." Townie is a very light accent and they do not speak as fast. Some even speak french. In a little town called "Harbour Breton" on the far South Coast, they speak 100% Newfie. Most of what they say are in long, fast phrases with many Newfie sayings. It all depends on where you are visiting.
- One thing to remember regarding the dialect: it is a combination of Irish, French and Scottish Gaelic accents, and the grammar and syntax are often reminiscent of what you would find in Scottish Gaelic. For example, the sentence "T'row pop down da stairs 'ees 'at" means "Grandpa is at the bottom of the stairs. Toss his hat down to him."
Example Phrases
- Oh me nerves, you got me drove b'y! - Oh my god, you're getting on my last nerve. You're annoying me!
- Tundering Jesus! - Thundering Jesus, you scared me! / You we're very stealthy and scared me!
- Christ b'y, you slower than molasses gon' up signal hill on a cold day! - You're being very slow / Hurry up
- Scuff an Scoff! - A meal and a dance
- Don't blear your mudder b'y! - Don't back talk your own mother.
- Me an *name* are gon set on the bridge for a blue star! - Me and *name* are going to sit/relax on the porch/deck for a beer.
- How she cuttin dere b'y? - How are you?
- Where she longs at? - Where are you from?
- I dies at you b'y! - You're funny / I'm "dying" of laughter!
- pass me the jim over dere on the slang! - pass me that, its on the counter.
- gots me a cough, gon hack up me jim's in a bit! - I have a really bad cough
- 'Ou owns ya? - Who are your parents?
- Christ little frigger! - Damn you!
- How she getting b'y? - How is she?
- Yes b'y! - I strongly agree / Yes
- No b'y! - I strongly disagree / No
- Dere goes, Ducky! - Goodbye (For a girl)
- Dere goes, Cocky! - Goodbye (For a boy)
Warnings
- Do not be rude. Don't insult someone. Remember to use the proper sentence at the appropriate time. Newfoundlanders are nice people, but are very feisty.
