On National Mackem Day, August 12, we’ve rounded up some of the weird and wonderful things associated with people from our city by the sea.
5. The Mackem language
Over the centuries, Mackems have developed their own unique language which, to the trained ear, is very different to other North East dialects. The Mackem Dictionary by Paul Swinney celebrates our weird and wonderful way with words and has sold tens of thousands of copies. In it, Paul gives humorous translations for words such as Kite: a large overhanging gut. Example - put yer kite away man dar, yer’ll scare the bairns! And Skinchies: a period of truce in a playground game signified by one crossing their fingers. Example - nor, it doesn’t count, it was skinchies! | submitted Photo: submitted
6. Mackem pronunciation
As well as our own words, Mackems also give a new, and some would say improved, twist on existing discourse. For example, the 'g' in register is so redundant in Sunderland we've got rid of it all together and made it two words - 'red chester'. Other Mackemisms include reducing chest of drawers from three words to two - 'chester drawers' and adding an extra syllable to lightning by pronouncing it as 'lightening' and icing sugar as 'icening sugar.' | Stock photo Photo: stock photo
7. A penchant for pink slices
As much as we've scoured our archives we can't find the origin of the humble pink slice, or why it is rarely found outside of Sunderland. All we do know is that they're worth the cavities they cause with their high sugar content. Pictured here is a Sue's Cafe pink slice in Roker, but there's a number of cake shops and corner shops where you can pick up this local delicacy. | Sunderland Echo Photo: Sunderland Echo
8. When you know you're home
Looming high in the skyline, visible for miles from the A19, Penshaw Monument is the sight you see when you know you're home. It was built as a folly in honour of John George Lambton, who was the 1st Earl of Durham but it's become so much more than that and is synonymous with Sun'Lun. | Sunderland Echo