noun General Slang

Mackem

· noun · geordie

A person from Sunderland — and the rival tribe to the Geordies.

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Definitions

1

Someone born in Sunderland. Comes from the old Wearside shipbuilding phrase mak'em and tak'em — we make them (the ships) and they take them. Geordies use it to mark the line between Tyne and Wear; Mackems wear it as a badge.

“He's not a Geordie, he's a Mackem — Sunderland through and through.”
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2

By extension, the Sunderland AFC fanbase. Used in football chants, derbies and red-and-white-tinted abuse.

“Mackems are coming to St James' on Sunday — should be lively.”
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Mackem In A Sentence

He's not a Geordie, he's a Mackem — Sunderland through and through.
Mackems are coming to St James' on Sunday — should be lively.

Origin & Usage

From the Wearside shipyard chant mak'em and tak'em, recorded from the early 20th century onward.

Variants MakemMak'em

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