Pick up a dialect in 140 characters or less
Found yourself saying things like 'gert lush', 'pukka' or 'in a boo' lately and not sure why? These phrases amongst many others that are usually associated with specific regions are now becoming spread across the UK through social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
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Language experts have found that not only are regional colloquialisms being spread across the country but also old fashioned dialects are experiencing a resurgence and words such as 'bootiful' - made popular by Bernard Matthews in the 80s - are becoming popular again.
Now it is quite likely that you will hear a northerner describe something as lush (a Welsh term for nice) or a southerner using the word mint to mean good (a term from Manchester).
Dr Eric Schleef, lecturer in English Sociolinguistics at The University of Manchester, said: "Dialects were traditionally passed on relatively slowly through spoken language.
"But social changes such as the speed of modern communication mean they are spreading much faster than they would have.
"Twitter, Facebook and texting all encourage speed and immediacy of understanding, meaning users type as they speak, using slang, dialect respellings and colloquialisms.
"The result is we are all becoming exposed to words we may not have otherwise encountered, while absorbing them into everyday speech."
Language is always evolving and the rise of social media is contributing to the way the English language is used.
Raj Sahota, of Bernard Matthews Farms, said: "Not only is 'bootiful' in regular use far outside our Norfolk heartland, but an entire dictionary's worth of similar regional words and sayings is being increasingly adopted across the UK.
"This is down to social media like Twitter and Facebook eliminating regional barriers and allowing friends to adopt other regional dialects and words as their own."
Have you found yourself using different regions' colloquialisms? Do you think it's possible for dialects to spread online? Leave a comment and share your thought.
