Off Topic but can you help

I work in Kent now and was asked for the origins of Mackem. Although I had a couple of theories is there a definitive origin for its use?
Only Mackems need apply

 

Derogatory term slung at us when we were the centre of all manufacturing industries.
Glass, shipbuilding, rope, cranes, etc, etc.

We could proudly say to most things "We Mack Em!"

 

It started off derogatory but as anything was better than being called Geordie we adopted it.

 

The term Mackem didn't exist until the mid seventies: before that everyone on Wearside was happy to be called a Geordie. 'Mackem' almost certainly originated as a derogatory term from Newcastle supporters who feared our growing support in their previous heartlands due to our success in the FA Cup in 1973.

 

Dictionary definition of Geordie.

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[TD="class: word"]geordie[/TD]
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[/TR]
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[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: text, colspan: 2"]Usually a person who believes they are from the city of Newcastle but are infact from outlining areas such as Gateshead, Hexham and the like. These 'plastic' Geordies tend to believe they are at the top of the social scale but are in fact in the middle of the social security benefit queue. Often found in Netto or more notably Greggs upon where they feed they offspring large quantities of baked pastry goods, children are usually christened "Keegen" or "Bobby" or "Alan" regardless of their sex, this is due to their Mother and Fathers (and in many cases 'Uncle Steve' and Uncle "Jeff" and 'wor Bobbies da") lifelong devotion to Newcastle United, despite never actually being anywhere near the stadium, but the 9 kids are dressed head to foot in Black and White replica kit 7 days a week.
"Hov corse ham a Geordie man like man, me da used ta drink Broon Ale and me ma uste te werk in Fennnikks man"
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Shipyards. We (Sunderland) used to mack everything, they used to tack (Scumbags) everything hence mackems & tackems.

We done the hard labour and technical bits and they did the poncey girly bits like fitting the curtains etc.

 

Dictionary definition of Mackem.

Mackem.

n. A demi-god worshipped by ancient civilisations as the epitome of wit and sexual prowess. Romans and Vikings colonised the area in the hope of developing a race of supermen to help them in their ambitions. The word is based on a blend of Roman and Norse, and means "astonishingly well-endowed, funny and attractive angel on a temporary visit from Valhalla."

Not to be confused with Geordie who were the unfortunate result of a Roman experiment in which Scotsmen had intercourse with pigs. These unfortunate troll-like humanoids can be identified by the fact they have to wear clothes covered in a large barcode so they can be tracked and controlled by security satellites.
My goodness, that John Holmes is almost as well-hung as a Mackem.

 

I have never ever been happy to be called a Geordie.

My older brother was in the forces and he was called Geordie, didn't bother him. (He also has never liked football, I blame the milkman.)
When his mates called me Geordie it bothered me, and I put them right on the matter.

 

I've heard this theory before, but I don't believe it for a minute...It's all down to the pronunciation of the words 'make and take'...Sunderland folk 'mak and tak'...Newcastle folk ' I couldn't even begin to put it into words'...And other areas of the North East have other variables of this...

 

First time I can remember it being used was in '82.
I was working in Austin and Pickersgill (Best yard in Europe. Thanks Thatch) A few of us got sent to Swans for a month to help the locals out...Everthing was ****ing Mackem this and Mackem that.

I remember asking what a Mackem was...."You are you daft twat"

 

That Is so true! I was born in South Shields hospital, raised in Jarrow and kept saying I was a sand dancer due to where I was born but I kept on getting corrected and told I'm a geordie. Everyone from Jarrow, Hebburn, Whitley Bay etc seems to claim they are a Geordie though.

 

I am a pit yacker if that helps

 

So was me Da!
Houghton lad, but lived and worked in Sunderland since being a kid.
My Ma's family are all Sunderland as far back as can be traced.

 

www.rottentomatoes.com/quiz/are-you-a-mackem/

 

I don't need to take a quiz to know I'm a Mackem.

Where as you mark your self out with your **** patter and total lack of class as a Skunk.

 

Mackem - Make Ships

Takem - Take ships in for repair

= Mackems & Takems

 

Do us all a favour, here... wear this polythene bag...

 

And why would you want to remove your bin bag we don't want to see you naked.

 

I grew up in South Shields. Were were all Geordies in the 1970s. Since then I have moved to the midlands and learned that I am a sandancer by birth and a Mackem by choice.

I was always told that on Tyneside we 'Mayuk and Tayuk' things but on Wearside they 'Mak and Tak' things... so its a bit of a derogatory take on how we pronounce the words make and take!

Its a bit of accent snobbery!

 

Yes the accent gets a bit derided, but let's be honest.. when you listen to a couple of Geodies chattin' it's like Stanley Unwin talkin' to himself....