has anyone heard of or do you use the term 'be a duck'....?

Question

... meaning 'will you do me a favour' my gran used to say it and i was just wondering if it is a commonly used term by anyone else? so be a duck and let me know :)

Answer 1

Well, it's good to hear that again!!!

I think it is a dying phrase, used mostly by Nans and Grandma's, especially those of a London persuation!!

I think it gets mentiioned in Mary Poppins!!

Let's bring it back in again! All we have to do is keep using it on Yahoo Answers.......

Answer 2

In the context of do me a favour, 'duck' is a term of endearment standing in place of 'you, 'Johnny' or 'love'.

It was a term commonly used, by working class people all round the country, not just in South Yorkshire and London.

In Nottinghamshire, where I was born, 'Aye-up duck', meant, 'Hello, friend, mate, buddy etc' but could equally well be used to a close relative instead of 'Aye-up love', which only women could say.

In Salford, where my father was born, 'Aye-up!' was more of a warning, meaning 'look out' or even 'get out the way' spoken roughly.

Answer 3

"Duck" is an English dialect word - meaning something along the lines of "sweetie / dear". I've heard it in a northern English context rather than a southern, but not heard it used in Scotland.

So, "be a duck, and put the kettle on" translates as: "Go on, you know you want to put the kettle on for me, 'cos I can't be bothered..."

Answer 4

Yes duck.

Answer 5

its common in chesterfield and sheffield and other parts of yorkshire, i lived in chesterfield while studying at sheffield uni and everyone says it, i ended up using the phrase myself after id been there 6 months

Answer 6

I wouldn't personally use it but i often hear it used in the Sheffield area, south yorkshire that is.

Answer 7

AFLAC!!