Leicester words & sayings
A light-hearted guide to the Leicester words, sayings and local lore you'll come across around the city, and how (not) to use them on a date.
Leicester words
- Ay up
- A classic East Midlands greeting, used to say hello to friends and strangers alike.
- In dating: Opening a first message with "ay up" is a friendly, local way to say hello. It reads as warm, not rude.
- Me duck
- A friendly way of addressing someone, heard across Leicestershire and the East Midlands. It's meant warmly, whoever you say it to.
- In dating: If someone calls you "me duck", they're being friendly. Don't read anything more into it.
- Mardy
- Sulky or grumpy, usually said of someone in a bad mood over something small.
- In dating: Describing yourself as "a bit mardy before my first coffee" is an easy, honest bit of humour for a profile.
- Cob
- A bread roll, and a matter of local pride. Ask for a cob rather than a bap and nobody will blink.
- In dating: "Cob or bap?" is a harmless and surprisingly lively debate to have on a first date.
- Jitty
- A narrow alleyway between houses, a word used across Leicestershire and nearby counties.
- In dating: Giving directions that involve "down the jitty" is a good sign you're local. Be clear about where to meet.
- Lester
- How Leicester is pronounced, which catches out plenty of visitors.
- In dating: If a match is from out of town, a gentle pronunciation tip is a friendly icebreaker.
Leicester lore and landmarks
- Richard III
- The king whose remains were found beneath a city centre car park in 2012 and reburied at Leicester Cathedral in 2015.
- In dating: The cathedral and the visitor centre make a thoughtful first date. Check opening times before you go.
- The Foxes
- The nickname of Leicester City Football Club, who famously won the Premier League in 2016.
- In dating: Match days draw a crowd, so check the fixtures before you plan a date near the stadium.
- The Tigers
- The nickname of Leicester Tigers, the city's famous rugby union club.
- In dating: If you both love rugby, you'll have plenty to talk about. If you don't, ask them to explain the rules.
- The Golden Mile
- Belgrave Road, the busy street known for its sari shops, jewellers and some of the best food in the city.
- In dating: A wander along the Golden Mile followed by a meal is a lively, tasty first date. Check what's open before you go.
- Diwali lights
- The annual switch-on of lights along Belgrave Road and in the city centre, one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India.
- In dating: A stroll to see the lights is a memorable date, but expect big crowds. Check this year's listings.
- New Walk
- A tree-lined promenade running out from the city centre, with museums and gardens along the way.
- In dating: An easy, side-by-side walk that's simple to shorten or stretch out.
- Red Leicester
- The deep orange cheese named after the city.
- In dating: Hunting down a good piece together makes a fun little mission for a first date.
- Melton Mowbray pork pie
- A famous local speciality from the Leicestershire market town of Melton Mowbray.
- In dating: Settle the great pie debate early: hot or cold, with or without pickle?
Words change from one part of Leicestershire to the next, and what you hear in Leicester isn't always what you hear in Loughborough or Melton Mowbray. Got a favourite we've missed? Tell us when you join.
Don't be shy. Go and meet someone.
Put a few of these to use with singles who'll know exactly what you mean.