What is a Yorkshire Tyke?

A Yorkshire Tyke was originally a fairly insulting term. In the past it was used about Yorkshire folk because they do tend to be very blunt when speaking. Nevertheless people from Yorkshire will talk about themselves as Tykes, proud of being honest folk, just as they are proud of their county and traditions.

In Great Britain, northern folk in general can be very blunt. This is thought to have come about because people 'from down South' lived too close to the court in London to be able to say what they really thought. They were near enough for the Kings Men to come and take them to be imprisoned or worse still beheaded! Northerners had less to fear and continued to speak their minds, however I have to admit that with Yorkshire folk a spade is often a bloody shovel!