National Poetry Day: Free the Word

28 September 2017

Ever been away from your home town and used a word that’s prompted blank looks from those around you? To mark National Poetry Day, BBC Local Radio commissioned twelve poets from across England to write a poem celebrating a local word, crowdsourced from listeners. And a poem by Radio Scotland's Poet in Residence showcases the many colourful Scots words related to the weather.

Susie Dent on the local words that bring it all back home
It’s not just poets who are fascinated by local dialect, as celebrity lexicographer Susie Dent explains.

Bobowler by Liz Berry
A large moth. From listeners to BBC Radio WM (West Midlands).
Cheeselog by Hollie McNish
A woodlouse - selected by BBC Radio Berkshire listeners
Didlum by Dean Wilson
A community savings scheme - selected by BBC Radio Humberside listeners.
Dimpsy by Chrissy Williams
Dusk; twilight. From listeners to BBC Radio Devon.
Fam by Caleb Femi
A familiar form of address for a friend. From listeners to BBC Radio London.
City of Geg ins by Chris McCabe
To interrupt; to butt in. From listeners to BBC Radio Merseyside.
Ginnel by Vidyan Ravinthiran
An alleyway. Suggested by listeners to BBC Radio Leeds.
Gurt by Vanessa Kisuule
Very; great - suggested by listeners to BBC Radio Bristol.
Mardy by Toby Campion
Spoilt; sulky; moody. Suggested by listeners to Radio Leicester.
On the huh by Rebecca Watts
Lopsided; wonky. As suggested by listeners to BBC Radio Suffolk.
Ode to Twining by Katie Hale
To moan; to complain. From BBC Radio Cumbria.
Twitten by James Brookes
A narrow lane; an alleyway. From BBC Sussex.

Here's the Weather by Stuart A Paterson
The many Scots words related to the weather are given their freedom in Stuart's poem.

Free the Word
Mardy, gurt, cheeselogs, dreich and dimpsy: 13 poets highlight the local words that matter to you.
About the Festival
Highlights to look forward to at the UK’s biggest poetry festival devoted to new work, taking place in Hull.
What's On / Sept 28 - Oct 1
Browse four days of gala readings, live radio, film screenings, music gigs, open mic nights and more.
Films
A series of exclusive films.