Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you know where Will's mother lives?

237 replies

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 20/09/2025 16:54

For 20+ years I lived in an area where everyone knew about Will's mother. People would arrive late to meetings explaining that they were really sorry, but roadworks on X Road meant that they had to go round Will's mother's.

I'm aware that in the Midlands they know about Bill's mother's, not Will's. And that sometimes it's black over Bills mother's house. But I've now moved to a different part of the country where no one knows about Will's mother's, or Bill's.

So,
YABU - who on earth is Will/Bill's mother?
YANBU - everyone knows about Will/Bills mother.

OP posts:
BeRoseSloth · 21/09/2025 19:41

It’s always coming over dark over Will’s mother’s.

landlordhell · 21/09/2025 19:38

It’s a bit black over Bill’s mother’s meaning it’s dark and thundery looking in the distance. Not heard about Will or using it re being late.

Itsnottheheatitsthehumidity · 21/09/2025 19:36

Hahaha my dad was well acquainted with where Bill’s mother lives! He comes from Warwickshire. Until I moved to London I thought everyone knew Bill’s mother house! My mum knew too. My London friends and family are baffled.

LinedOverLatte · 21/09/2025 19:36

Not sure about Will’s mother, but I know Bob’s your uncle.

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 21/09/2025 19:34

DH and I often say "It's black as the grate over Bill's mother's!" It's something we used to hear on the radio 30+ years ago when Ray Moore did the early show on Radio 2. We thought it was hilarious because Bill was our next door neighbour and his mother lived a few doors down. I don't know anyone else who says it.

JustSawJohnny · 21/09/2025 19:29

My southern OH found it highly amusing the first time Bill's Mother popped up in conversation.

He also insists I made up the term 'Round the Wrekin'.

So I took him there.

But there's a road over it now 😂

Flakey99 · 21/09/2025 19:28

Yes, it’s black o’er Bill’s mo-thers.

When I was very little I was confused when my mum said this as my dad was called Bill but I’d never met his mum. 😂

LynetteScavo · 21/09/2025 19:27

Im in the midlands
and don’t know about anybody’s mother!

Zippedydodah · 21/09/2025 19:25

I’ve not heard of Bill’s mother but in Wiltshire stormy weather is ‘caddlesome’ or ‘caddling’, a phrase my late FIL would use.

Emanwenym · 21/09/2025 19:21

Not RTFT, but I thought it was 'Black over Bill's mother' meaning the sky over Stratford-upon-Avon was very dark, signifying a storm was coming.

Inthesearch · 21/09/2025 19:18

I've only ever heard my MIL (W Yorks, late 70s) say "It's black o'er Bill's mother" to describe dark clouds in the distance

WeaselsRising · 21/09/2025 19:18

My grandparents were from Sheffield and used to say it were black over Bill's mothers. We lived down South so I never heard anyone else say this and assumed it was just them.

Another favourite for Grandma was "well ah'll go to the foot of our stairs"

Kjpt140v · 21/09/2025 19:15

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 20/09/2025 17:03

No idea!
Is that the same as going round the Wrekin?

"All the way around the Wrekin." I love that expression, not least of all because the Wrekin sits in my county. What is wonderful I have heard the expression all around the country.

Billybingbong · 21/09/2025 19:14

I'm in Yorkshire & have absolutely no clue what you're on about. But as my son is called Will, I can claim the title of Wills mother, so yes I do know where I live 🤣🤣

MrsHamlet · 21/09/2025 19:10

I don't know where his mother lives, but it's often black over Bill's house.

I now live in the North where people don't know what this means, but my southern mum says it all the time.

SheWaits · 21/09/2025 19:10

I know about Bill's mother but only because | had a Brummie boyfriend who taught me some local lingo!

Tubestrike · 21/09/2025 19:09

TeenToTwenties · 20/09/2025 17:03

Down South. Never heard this.

Same

Bendystretchystraw · 21/09/2025 19:06

Iloveeverycat · 21/09/2025 18:59

In Surrey we say it's black over wills mother

Yep, Will’s mother in Surrey!

Mrsmunchofmunchington · 21/09/2025 19:04

I don’t know the exact address but do know it’s always very grey over her house.

PrivateMusic · 21/09/2025 19:03

Not a clue. Maybe an older generational saying?

Iwasneverafan · 21/09/2025 19:00

My Mum and Nan would say “It’s black over Mag’s mothers” 🥴…. Meaning heavy clouds are gathering…. They were in Liverpool
Absolutely no idea why 🤷🏼‍♀️

Lokiswife · 21/09/2025 18:59

Is it anywhere near "the back of the clock in Annie's room"? That used to be said to me a lot by my Grandad as a kid!!!

Iloveeverycat · 21/09/2025 18:59

In Surrey we say it's black over wills mother

PurpleYarnivore · 21/09/2025 18:59

I have absolutely no idea what you are tslking about and I’m a Londoner whose also lived in the south west , the south east , Sheffield and the Midlands …

Sisublondie · 21/09/2025 18:59

PyongyangKipperbang · 20/09/2025 17:56

I am near South Derbyshire and I have heard it a lot over the border.

Never heard Will though, its always been Bill.

"its black over our Bills mothers" means that very dark clouds are on their way.

I’m South Derbyshire, too! I hear “ black over Bill’s Mothers”… all the time! However….

….when I moved up from London, my DS were 3 and 1, and the oldest started nursery straight away. Took me bloody ages to suss out that Bill wasn’t one of the other children there, as I didn’t know anyone! 🙄 And, what was black? And over what? Who WAS this Bill that was never in class 🤷‍♀️?! And, why does everyone bitch about his Mum?
It didn’t help as no-one ever appeared to be talking about weather, 🌦️ when it was said, nor looking at the sky at the time! … It was just randomly dropped into chat, upon which most people would nod agreement, or mumble “ hmmm”, then either carry on chatting, or be on their way!

Oh, and I didn’t “ suss it out”. I had to ask someone after months. And, then kept getting it wrong. In fact, I’m still not sure I had it right after 15 years! I thought I did, but on reading this, I did think “ isn’t it over Bill’s COUSINS”?!..🤔😹!!

Great post, OP, by the way!! You’ve brightened up a meh Sunday!! 🙏😻!

Swipe left for the next trending thread