25/09/2026
Thinking of moving to Birmingham but worried you won’t understand the locals?
Don’t worry bab, this week’s Birmingham Brief has you covered with a very (VERY!) unofficial guide to speaking Brummie.
First up, there’s “Brum,” which is simply the local way of talking about Birmingham, so if someone says they’re heading into Brum, you’ll know exactly where they mean.
Then there’s “Alright bab?” which is a proper local classic and a friendly way of saying hello, so there is definitely no need to panic if you hear it.
Now this one is important, because “it’s bossed” and “it’s bostin” might sound similar, but they mean two very different things.
If something is bossed, it’s broken, but if something is bostin, it’s brilliant, which is definitely worth knowing before you start complimenting someone’s car.
Finally, and fittingly...there’s “tara-a-bit,” which might sound like someone is telling you to wait, but it is actually a Brummie way of saying goodbye.
So if you’re thinking of moving to Birmingham, don’t worry, because you’ll be speaking Brummie in no time.
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