"It's about yea big"

[GoGoPowerScooter]

If you say that, where are you from? I'd say it while gesturing to indicate the size of something. Lived in Staffordshire half my life, the other half in Oxfordshire. DP also Midlander, says he's never heard anyone else say it. Good friend of mine says it too; she's from Devon but also lived in Oxfordshire for twenty years. Humour me, MNers, and tell me whether you recognise the phrase/if you say it too/where you're from?

Yes I say this - I'm from the South East.

Lancashire raised, London based, and hear it all over

How interesting, I thought it was just Australians and New Zealanders who say this - didn’t know it’s so widespread.

I did a “yeay small” this morning.

Northwest-Bristol-South Wales-London

Yes I recognise it. Not sure I would say it tho. Have known people say it IYSWIM. I am from East mids and live there now (diff area tho) have also lived in North East and south.

I spell it "yay big" in my head BTW 🙃

I say it, born and bred in Devon.

I am familiar with it.

Lived all over, but I think it is more generational for me than area. grandparents said it. I'd never say it.

I’ve always thought it was more North American and transplanted here. Heard it as child in east coast and mid west. 60s and 70s.

I am originally from Hampshire, now live in Berkshire. I would never say it - I would say ‘about so big’ instead. I agree with steppemum that it seems more generational, it sounds very old-fashioned to me. I would be surprised to hear any of my friends say it unironically.

Yes, I'd say it. NE England.

I also thought this was a North American expression! Never heard anyone say this in real life (SE/London) but that doesn't mean anything, I've never heard anyone say mardy, barm, or cushty either (from another thread on here today).

I also would only ever expect someone to say "yea high/big/tall" - it's never "yea small/short", at least not when I've heard it used in the USA.

Yes. Somerset.

@Xiaoxiong

I also would only ever expect someone to say "yea high/big/tall" - it's never "yea small/short", at least not when I've heard it used in the USA.

I’ve been thinking about this and I think this is the case with most (all?) descriptors of size. You wouldn’t say something is 3 feet short either, only 3 feet long/high.

Essex. Not common, but occasionally used here

Yep. Irish Londoner here.

Yes, Midlander here, plus heard in US and Oz. Pedant alert … for all those querying spelling … it’s spelt “yea” and pronounced “”yay”

Sorry, tired texting - extra apostrophe!

Yep, Dubliner here. Though I'd mentally spell it as "yay big"

I use it. Raised in North Wales, family links to Black Country and Tyneside.

I'd say it in Liverpool.