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Which part of the UK uses the phrase “Have a cob on?”

92 replies

Greenbeanmcgee · 01/02/2026 19:42

And does it mean angry?

TIA

OP posts:
StrawberryJamAndRaspberryPie · 01/02/2026 20:46

Ffion56 · 01/02/2026 19:45

Yorkshire uses it. It’s more like being in a grump than being angry in my usage.

This. Means you’ve got the hump, you’ve a sour face, you’re being moody.

TokenGinger · 01/02/2026 20:52

I’m in Manchester, and we say it.

IndieRocknRoll · 01/02/2026 20:56

Derbyshire. Also use Mardy to mean whingy

MissMarplesKnittingNeedles · 01/02/2026 21:55

My friend said it. She was from near Chester.

NormasArse · 01/02/2026 21:58

Fylde Coast- Lancashire. It’s well used there!

OiFatArse · 01/02/2026 21:58

Liverpool and surrounding areas, we deffo use it here 🤣

CurlewKate · 02/02/2026 06:13

ResusciAnnie · 01/02/2026 20:10

Oh I definitely thought it mean ‘to have an erection’ 😂 but I think I’m confused with ‘have a chub on’ and the phallic appearance of a corn cob…

Oh god-I hate “chub”!!!

Sweetiedarling7 · 02/02/2026 06:20

Scouser first husband used it a lot.
Should have been about himself!

fipsandchish · 02/02/2026 06:42

Definitely used in SW, too. “Ere our Denise int ‘alf got a cob on t’day.”

sashh · 02/02/2026 08:29

I'm in the Midlands, yep, having a cob on is someone who is in strop, sulking, in bad mood and everyone has to know it.

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 02/02/2026 08:37

Heyhelga · 01/02/2026 20:28

Lived in Devon all my life and I've never once heard anyone use the phrase.

Neither in Dorset so surprised at the posters who say they know it from the SW and Cornwall (probably grockles).

Myblueclematis · 02/02/2026 08:48

My friend has always used this expression, we are down south.

LaundryHepburn · 02/02/2026 08:53

I'm originally from South Yorkshire. I've definitely heard it, but when I was a kid, people would say, "he's got the monk on." I don't know if that's still a thing...

SandyY2K · 02/02/2026 08:56

Liverpool.

SandyY2K · 02/02/2026 08:59

Beaverbridge · 01/02/2026 20:06

I thought it was Liverpool. I'm sure I heard it in Brookside first

Yep.
I hail from Liverpool and it was commonly said there.

Reminds me of another saying.
"The gob on him/her" meaning someone is cheeky or rude.

bugalugs45 · 02/02/2026 09:11

How funny , I have never used nor heard anyone use the expression mardy, we are just outside London, but I have a friend in Yorkshire that says it hence I know its meaning .

Dartmoorcheffy · 02/02/2026 09:13

Bolton, lancashire. Heard it all the time growing up.

Petrine · 02/02/2026 09:16

I know the meaning but have never heard it used here in the south east.

boooooooyaaaaa · 02/02/2026 09:17

SW means stroppy like Kevin and Perry
Chub on means erection (also chubby )
Gob on means mouthy

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 02/02/2026 09:18

Sheffield. Tha's got a reight cob on.

FruAashild · 02/02/2026 09:22

I'm Scottish and live in the NE of England, I've never heard it. I know mardy though, but not sure if that's just because of the Arctic Monkeys.

UnctuousUnicorns · 02/02/2026 09:27

I do - Merseyside area. "Oh, she's got a right cob on her now." Small round bready item = batch. Made up = delighted, very pleased. Etc.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 02/02/2026 09:30

It's a term I use, usually on the form 'He's got a right cob on'. Since I live in the home counties I can only assume I've picked it up from Northern friends over the years.
And yes - just means grumpy and a bit argumentative (rather like me much of the time 🤣)

Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 02/02/2026 09:30

Ive heard this, i think when i lived in south yorks. A colleague from Leicester uses it. Was very surprised when we moved to Norfolk to hear "he's got a monk on" 😂

More common was "he's got a right face on" in S.yorks

Dollymylove · 02/02/2026 09:32

Ive heard it used in Lancs 😆

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