The Sussex dialect evolved over many hundred years but has almost died out now. Even the old Sussex accent is rarely heard. Nonetheless, some of the local phrases could easily catch a visitor by surprise.
As a lifelong Londoner who has recently found the time to do some much-desired study about the English language and its development, I was curious as to whether Sussex had any regional expressions or words of its own. I was intrigued to learn that there are indeed expressions unique to the county, and that there is even a motto!
The name “Sussex” means “land of the South-Saxons”. These were the people who settled in the region in the 5th and 6th centuries. The language spoken by the South-Saxons was a dialect of “old English”, which was the language of the Anglo-Saxons. Old English had a Germanic vocabulary and was very different from the English that is spoken today.
The language of Sussex and the whole of Great Britain changed gradually following the battle of Hastings (down there in East Sussex) in 1066. After the resulting Norman Conquest, French vocabulary and grammar blended with the existing language to form “middle English”. Over time, following the standardisation of the language, and the spread of printing this became modern English.
Are you aglooking at me?
Once English had bedded in, the Sussex dialect is then believed to have emerged as Anglo-Saxon, Dutch, Welsh and English traders attempted to understand each other. It incorporated many of its own words and phrases, some of which are no longer commonly used and some of which are still well known in the region. A current example, still in use, is “twitten”, which means a narrow passageway or alleyway, particularly in one of the county’s towns. This word is thought to be derived from the German word “twiete” meaning alley or lane.
Other personal favourites included “duggle” meaning to bathe or wash oneself, and “daggled” meaning dishevelled or dirty. Both of these, it is thought, might be related to the Gaelic word “dubhagan” which means “dark” or “black” (possibly due to the presence of dirt). There is also “aglooker” which is someone who rudely stares at others, “ellyards” which means elderly people and “dumbledore” which is a bumblebee.
Sussex has its own unofficial motto, which is “we wunt be druv”. This translates as “we will not be driven”, in other words “we will not be pushed around,” and it is undoubtedly one of the best mottos for a region that I have heard! The motto reflects Sussex inhabitants’ reputation for independence of thought, stubbornness, and a dislike of being told what to do. The word “druv” has two potential origins but both have ultimately similar meanings.
One is the Sanskrit word “Dhruva” meaning “fixed, immovable or unshakeable”, also the name of a figure in Hindu mythology known for his devotion to one of the gods and a symbol of constancy; and the other is the Latin “drivus” or “drivan” meaning “to be driven”. The origins of the motto cannot be specifically dated although it is known to have been used in the early 1900s. However, it may even date as far back as the middle ages when many people were unable to read or write.
A useful glossary for the visitor
There are many more words that are unique to Sussex, and while the meaning of some could be guessed others are less obvious. Some splendid examples include:
| Butter my wig: A strong assertionClodgy: Muddy and wet, probably after rain has fallen |
| Slob: Thick mud (there are over twenty different words for mud, no doubt due to the coastal nature of the county’s landscape) |
| Blobbit: A baby frog |
| Lood: A chunk or big piece |
| Galligantus: A big lump or boulder |
| Hernsome: Someone courteous or pleasant |
| Bly: A resemblance or likeness |
| Argify: Used in the same way as the word “signify” |
| Sniggler: A slight frost |
| Snuffy: Angry or irritable |
| Skice: To run quickly and slyly to avoid being seen |
| Pork-bolters: The Sussex dialect nickname for Worthing fishermen |
| Prickleback urchin: A hedgehog |
| Flittermouse: A bat |
A more recent development is the influence of people moving into the area from other parts of the country, particularly London. This has meant the spoken language continuing to evolve such that the unique Sussex accent is no longer heard much, if at all. Some of the local phrases that are still in use could, nonetheless, easily catch a visitor by surprise.
My personal view is that it’s always worth finding out before visiting a place, even within England, whether they have any unique language of their own that they still use!
References for further reading: Sussex as she wus spoke by Tony Wales; A Dictionary of The Sussex Dialect by Reverend W.D. Parish; Sussex wunt be druv, a poem by W. Victor Cook (dated 1914)
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO OUR CROWDFUNDER
HELP US BECOME STRONGER SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DELIVER POWERFUL CITIZEN JOURNALISM!
