Endearing terms much loved by anyone who grew up in Liverpool

Liverpudlians are not shy when it comes to showing affection to our nearest and dearest, with Scouse terms of endearment being a language of love for many.

Many Scouse words stick around for a long time, with many of us using the same terms and expressions our grandparents would have used. Some are universal to English speakers, but how they are used may differ from place to place.

But if you grew up in the city or wider Merseyside, you’ll probably know their unique context or how regularly they’re used. Some have become synonymous with our culture, while others have been part of everyday conversation for generations.

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Here, we take a look at just a few terms of endearment much loved by anyone who grew up in Liverpool. You can see them in our list below.

This list is not intended to be comprehensive. But if you have any suggestions, let us know in the comments section.

Love

If you grew up in Liverpool, you’ve probably heard different people referred to as ‘love’. Often used by anyone for anyone, it can be used by older people when talking to younger generations, as well as partners or even someone you vaguely love.

Boy/La

This is proper Scouse and you can’t live in the city without hearing it. Lad, or even La, is generally used for a young boy or man. La was immortalized by the Scouse band The La’s and can sometimes just be used to refer to someone as a partner.

Queen

This is the nance favorite. Regina is often used as a term of endearment for a woman you know well, especially family.

Doll

This is another term of endearment used among Scouse women. It is used elsewhere in the UK but has been popularly used here for generations.

Our child/Kidda

This term of endearment is very well known. Kid or kidda often refers to a sibling or good friend, usually someone who is younger. And at some point, we’ve all been called “our baby,” “our kid,” or “our insert name*,” even by people we’re not related to.

Ms.

A form of lady, this can be used less affectionately between men in reference to their wives. But it is also used as a term of endearment among women in Liverpool.

mate

This may seem obvious – but Scousers use mate even for people they don’t know. If you’re thanking someone or saying goodbye, a term of endearment often follows.

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