The term Mackem was created by Tynesiders and was meant to be derogatory. To be honest it is a term I rarely use to describe myself despite being born and raised in Ryhope, but it is also a term that I do not find offensive in the slightest either.
Well if I was from Sunderland would I be offended by being called a Mackem? Would I ****! Just like I wouldn't be if a black man called me a honkey, I believe that term is not racist so Posh can get to ****. Some people just have a need to be offended, that I can tolerate. It's the one's who are offended on behalf of others that aren't even offended that really **** me off. I find it very childish.
If anybody refers to me as a makem, I always stop them and correct them.The term didn't exist before around 1980. I was born a Geordie from the Northumberland and Durham coalfield, in Sunderland. And that's what I am. It's what I'll remain until I die. Whoever dreamt up makem can stick it up his ass - but he's sure as hell never going to stick it on me.. Loved the picture of Vaux's 'delivery wagons'. I once patted one of those horses on the side of his neck - I was about ten, and couldn't reach his head! Talk about elephants!
One of them once knocked me for six. They used to deliver to the Off Licence at the corner of Eldon St and I surprised one one day walking up behind it and patting it on its shoulder. Swung it's head round and knocked me into next week! They were just huge! Disagree about "mackem" though mate! The difference between Wearsiders and Tynesiders. Mates and colleagues will call me a Geordie because they know it'll wind me up.
Sums me up pretty well too Billy! Born in Dryburn while living in Chester le Street and moved to Durham when I was 6. Lived in Durham from then until a year and a bit ago when I moved to Nettlesworth!! But a large part of the article sums me up pretty well too! I heard that the term "mackem" was invented as an insult to Sunderland people to the way they talk!
The usual descripition of a Geordie (basically, anyone from the N.E.) used to be 'A Scotsman crossed with a pig'! We never took offence at such things - it was just seen as leg-pull. Likewise, I don't take offence at makem. In fact, some people call me that as a deliberate attempt to be polite and accurate. I know that. But I never let it pass either - I always stop them and explain what a recent load of crap it is. They're all just words, and none of them matter much. I agree with Billy that some people today are just looking to be offended. We've got too P.C. to laugh these days.
Nothing different from here Relic, we all Mongrels I suppose looking at it from another country, 'Mackem' affiliates itself with SAFC.. Without that what we be called?
I didn't think the origin of the word was offensive We make the ships in Sunderland then they go to Newcastle to be fitted out, so we "mak'em" and they "tak'em" Happy to be corrected though
That's right, jd, apart from the fact that the 'make' and 'go' should be 'made' and 'went' unfortunately It wasn't 'invented' as a derogatory term, either . . . . it was just a term used because of the Sunderland accent, which is pretty close (almost identical) to the Geordie accent, as we all know It's now an almost essential differentiation between the two groups, and, as far as I'm concerned, a Mackem (that's the correct spelling . . . . it's remarkable how many people don't spell it correctly) is someone from the city of Sunderland The amount of people that think that all Sunderland A.F.C. supporters are Mackems is also remarkable, but that's mainly thick Skunks and it's to be expected It's similar to us thinking that all 'from the dark side' are Skunks when that's just the nasty ones . . . . the decent ones being Maggots (not Magpies 'cos that's Notts County supporters) I'm a Geordie because I was born 'within a mile of the Tyne' but obviously I'm not proud of that because of the association, by folk who don't know any better, of Geordies being Skunks . . . . more importantly, though, is the fact that being born in 'Sheels makes me a Sandy, and I'm proud of that South Shields borders Sunderland, and to me it's just an extension of it, and it annoys me that some idiots from 'Sheels don't support their local (professional) team . . . . some of them choosing to 'turn their backs' on Sunderland A.F.C. preferring instead to support The Skunks This, to me, makes them 'gloryhunters' the same as if they'd decided to support teams like Liverpool or Man. U.
Yeah, you'd be hard pushed today to find any country that isn't mixed race - or even any county. In 876 a.d., Danish Vikings settled heavily in the East Riding of Yorkshire. But in the North Riding, it's very different - something like 66% Norwegian (after about 919 a.d.) And the two didn't get along! Today, on a global scale, it's a lot more complicated than even that. Without 'makem', what would SAFC be called? - well, it's better than 'losers' I guess! To be honest, jd, I haven't a clue about the origin. I never heard the word when I still lived there. The shipyard explanation seems to be gaining ground now, but I wouldn't be sure about the 'fitting out' bit. Some Wear-built ships were fitted out on the Tyne, but mostly at South Shields. I don't know. I just don't want it applied to me, though I think that will die out with people born at a later time. They seem comfortable with it, and that's their business.
