Potbank Dictionary - definitions and explanations of those fabulously mysterious words, terms, phrases and dialect of the Potteries.
Established in 1976, still going strong, still being added to and still being tweaked.
Here are those strange and very special terms, such as saggar makers bottom knocker, wedging, and ginneter that were, at one time, very common in the Potteries potbanks. There's also the special dialect of the district.
HINT: Search a page for your particular word by using CTRL together with F
With almost nearly, but not quite, 10,000 words and phrases, the Potbank Dictionary explains and demystifies the peculiar words collected during a lifetime in potbanks. Some are specific to a particular factory, others are quite common in the district. Some are quite technical. Much of this language is disappearing as potbanks are closed, as skills are lost and as manufacturing methods change.
This is by no means an academic work but it is accurate and is rather quirky in places! Originally established in 1968 and first published by Gladstone Pottery Museum in The Friends Broadsheet Newsletter in January 1976.
Compiled by Terry Woolliscroft and constantly updated since then. This website, launched in May 2012, is archived for preservation by the British Library.
This film, on YouTube, is a wonderful introduction to the area and how the language of the Potteries evolved. Incidentally, the guy in the image is not me but you will see him in the film.
"The film below gives thay a grate start un sums eat owe up. Thay wonst give eat a goo, duck 😉 "
If you have any words or phrases which you think should be in the Potbank Dictionary, or if you find any errors please do get in touch, here > terry.wool@proton.me