Devon words & sayings
A light-hearted guide to the Devon words, sayings and local lore you'll come across in the county, and how (not) to use them on a date.
Devon words
- Alright, my lover
- A warm, friendly greeting heard across Devon and the West Country. "Lover" (often "luvver") is meant kindly and goes to anyone, from friends to the person serving your coffee.
- In dating: Being called "my lover" by a stranger in a shop doesn't mean anything. It's just Devon being friendly.
- Proper job
- High praise for something done well. A good walk, a good pub lunch or a good date can all be a "proper job".
- In dating: "That was a proper job" is about as good a review of a first date as you'll get.
- Ansum
- A Devon way of saying handsome, but also good or lovely. It can describe a person, a view or a meal.
- In dating: Being called "ansum" is a compliment, whatever you look like.
- Dimpsy
- The time of day when the light is fading and it's neither day nor night. A lovely old Devon word for dusk.
- In dating: A walk at dimpsy is a good time for a date, with a golden light and a quiet lane.
- Mazed
- Confused, bewildered or a bit daft. Said fondly, it's hardly an insult.
- In dating: If a friend says you're mazed for not sending that message, they mean you're overthinking it.
- Where's that to?
- The Devon way of asking where something is. The "to" on the end is the giveaway.
- In dating: Asking "where's that to?" when someone names a village is a good way to start a conversation about their favourite places.
Devon lore and landmarks
- Cream tea
- Scones with clotted cream and jam. In Devon the cream goes on first and the jam goes on top, and a good many people will tell you so.
- In dating: Find out early which way round they do it. It's a friendly argument and a good excuse for a tearoom.
- Dartmoor and the tors
- The national park in the middle of the county, with granite hilltops called tors, wild ponies and wide open moorland.
- In dating: A short walk to a tor such as Haytor on a clear day is a great first date. Check the weather and stick to the paths.
- The Jurassic Coast
- The World Heritage coastline that runs along East Devon and on into Dorset, known for its red cliffs and fossils.
- In dating: A walk along the seafront at Sidmouth or Budleigh Salterton is an easy, pretty first date.
- Exeter Quay
- The old quayside on the River Exe, with cafés, pubs and a canal and riverside walks beside it.
- In dating: Flat, easy and full of places to sit, it's a good spot for a first meeting.
- The Tarka Trail
- A long walking and cycling route in North Devon, named after the otter in Henry Williamson's book Tarka the Otter.
- In dating: A stretch of the trail near Barnstaple is flat and scenic, and you can turn back whenever you like.
- The English Riviera
- The name for the Torbay coast around Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, known for its palm trees and mild weather.
- In dating: A stroll round Torquay harbour or a walk along the front is a good, relaxed date.
- Plymouth Hoe and the Barbican
- The grassy waterfront overlooking Plymouth Sound, with the old harbour district of the Barbican close by.
- In dating: Wander along the Hoe and see what you can spot out on the water. Plenty to talk about.
- Clovelly
- A historic cobbled fishing village on the North Devon coast, built down a steep hill.
- In dating: Good shoes are a must. A trip here makes a full day out.
- Devon cider
- The county has a long tradition of cider making, and a good many pubs and farm shops sell it.
- In dating: Find out whether they're a cider drinker. It's a good conversation starter in a Devon pub.
Words change from one part of Devon to the next, and what you hear in Exeter isn't always what you hear in Barnstaple or on the moor. 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.