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Foreigners are forever bewildered by the hearty banter of Scottish Highlanders. England's West Country accents aren't quite as tricky, but if you've been coached on bland Middle English vowels, you'll find the switch a surprise. Those not from round 'ere associate the accent with mild-mannered rural folks who may not be towering intellectuals but whose hearts are firmly in the right place. Famously, David Prowse (the 6 foot 7 West Country actor who played Darth Vader) was dubbed out in the final cut of Star Wars as his accent just wasn't intimidating enough. The rest of the crew called him 'Darth Farmer' behind his back - traitors!
Of course, Dorset still has echoes of Jeeves and Wooster. Dorset has more squires and red-faced peers than most British counties, so you're likely to encounter the Queen's English alongside the more mellow local lilts. Those upper crust folks know their 'lavatories' from their 'toilets'and they never sit on the 'couch.' Ooo arh - that would be criminal. 
Below you'll find a few Old Dorset words. Not many are common nowadays, but if you're reading Hardy or Trollope, they may come in handy. In short, you'll be dabster afore you can say bruckly noggerhead! a few words... 
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| Fun with words |
For a sample of local accents and dialects, tune in to some of the fabled 'Scrumpy and Western' bands. Taking their name from the local knockout cider, these bands are keeping the folk fire burning. Neighbouring Somerset has produced 'The Wurzels', whose 'I've got a brand new Combine Harvester' has passed into legend. Meanwhile, Dorset's very own 'The Yetties' have travelled the globe with their tractor-wheeling tunes. Hot on their heels are newcomers 'Who's Afear'd'.
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