Geordies and Mackems, Mackems and Geordies. If you're from the South you might get them confused, but if you're in the North East, they could be more different!
Mackems and Geordie share a few things, but you probably want to keep that bit quiet. The accents are similar, and they're both from the North East. Ask anyone up here, and that's where it ends!
Here's the difference between a Geordie and a Mackem.
- A Geordie is from Newcastle upon Tyne, a Mackem is from Sunderland
- A Geordie supports Newcastle United Football Club, A Mackem supports Sunderland
- A Geordie is black and white, a Mackem is red and white
- A Geordie speaks with a Geordie accent, and a Mackem speaks with a Sunderland accent.
There is disputes to where the names Geordie and Mackem name from. One thought is that Geordie comes from the name George.
Macken is said to come from "Make em, take em", in reference to ship building. They make them, you take them, and the word Mackem is formed as a portmanteau or blend word.
Geordie vs Mackem Accent
If you're from the North East, you can tell the difference between a Geordie and Mackem accent. If you're not, it could be more difficult to tell.
They are quite similar, but there are some differences.
A Geordie is more broad, more rough, and more "northern" if you can call it that. A Mackem's accent is more soft, rounded and slightly higher.
These Geordie definition prints really spell out exactly how to speak in a Geordie accent.
An example can be the use of the double O, aka OO. Take the word school. A Geordie would pronounce it SKOOL. A strong double o, and one syllable.
Mackem on the other hand pronounces School as skewel. Almost 2 syllable, skew-ell.
Geordies would say Book (like Spook) but Mackems would say Bewk.
Geordie also regularly emphasises an "O" as a double O, like Newcastle Broon (Brown) Ale, whereas a Mackem does not.
In general there are tons of shared words in Geordie and Mackem, to the point where Geordies and Mackems can use their own dialects and language and understand each other perfectly well, while people from other parts of the country may not.
The Geordie dictionary shows you some words in Geordie which are used in both Newcastle and Sunderland that you'll hear in either city.
And there you have it, the differences between Mackems and Geordies, including the way they talk and words they use.
It's always fun to see who can tell the difference between a Geordie and Mackem. In the tone of voice it's quite easy if you're from Newcastle or Sunderland, as you're accustomed to hear it.
If you're from outside the area, it may be harder to tell, or sound the same.