Moving to university is a big adjustment. New home, new friends, new routines... and if you're coming to study in Cornwall, you'll quickly realise there's something else to get used to too: the local language.

Okay, not a completely different language (although Cornwall does have its own!), but you'll definitely hear plenty of words and phrases that might leave you wondering what everyone is talking about.

Whether you're grabbing a coffee, chatting to locals on the bus, or ordering your first proper Cornish pasty, here's your essential guide to some of Cornwall's favourite sayings. Thanks to our resident Cornish experts, we've rounded up the words you're most likely to hear during your time here.

Ansum

One of the most iconic Cornish words. Ansum is used to describe something that's really good or as a friendly greeting.

Examples:

• "Alright me ansum?"

• "That pasty was ansum."

Bird

A friendly term used to address someone, traditionally a woman, but you'll hear it used more broadly too.

Example:

• "Alright bird?"

Bleddy

The Cornish version of bloody. Used to add a bit of emphasis to whatever you're talking about.

Example:

• "That's a bleddy good pasty."

Dreckly

Perhaps Cornwall's most famous word. It means at some point... just don't expect it to mean immediately.

Example:

• "I'll do it dreckly."

Geddon

A simple way of saying well done or good job.

Example:

• "Geddon! You smashed it."

Helluva

Used to describe something that's particularly big, impressive or significant.

Example:

• "That was a helluva walk back from campus."

Maid

A friendly greeting for a woman, similar to bird.

Example:

• "Alright maid?"

My Lover (or Me Lover)

Don't panic—this isn't a declaration of love. It's simply a warm, affectionate way of addressing someone.

Example:

• "Cheers, my lover."

Proper

You'll hear this one everywhere. If something's proper, it's good, impressive or exactly how it should be.

Examples:

• "Proper job."

• "That was proper nice."

Pard

A Cornish way of saying mate or friend.

Example:

• "Alright pard?"

Scat

To spill, knock over or break something.

Example:

• "I've scat my drink everywhere."

Shag

Yes, really. Despite what you might think, in Cornwall it's simply another friendly greeting.

Example:

• "Alright shag?"

Stank

Not a bad smell! A stank is a walk—usually a long one.

Example:

• "We had a proper stank up the hill."

Teasy

Feeling grumpy, irritable or a bit fed up.

You might also hear someone described as "teasy as'n adder".

Example:

• "I'm feeling a bit teasy today."

Wasson?

A shortened version of What's going on? or What's up?

Example:

• "Wasson?"

Where You To?

A phrase that catches a lot of newcomers out. It simply means Where are you?

Example:

• "Where you to? We're waiting outside!"

You'll Be Speaking Like a Local in No Time

Cornwall has a rich culture and a strong local identity, and these phrases are all part of what makes living and studying here so unique. Don't worry if you don't pick them up straight away—you'll be saying "proper job", greeting your mates with "alright shag?", and promising to do things dreckly before you know it.

Just remember: if someone calls you my lover, they're only being friendly.