Is it an insult to be called a Mackem in this day and age?

The issue of whether or not the word ‘Mackem’ constitutes an insult has vexed even the finest linguists in the pub. To address the question we need to look at the origin of the word.

The readily accepted explanation is that “we mak ‘em and you tak ‘em (make them and take them, for the uninitiated), with reference to shipbuilding, was shipyard parlance that stuck.

It might not be quite so straightforward, although it seems that shipbuilding does come into play.

In 1857 the County Durham historian William Fordyce wrote: “It came to be derisively said that Sunderland shipbuilders could ‘either build a ship or make one.” The inference was that a “made” ship was inferior to a “built” one.

Cobblers. There was never an issue of quality. So boo, hiss to County Durham historian William Fordyce. Nevertheless, an insult was born.

Fordyce went on (and on): “The degree of perfection in construction would seem to have been regulated according to price. Hence it came to be derisively said that Sunderland shipbuilders could ‘either build a ship or make one.’

“So recently in 1835, when Lloyd’s Registry was instituted, Sunderland was not found worthy to claim any exemption from the rule that ‘no ship built north of Yarmouth should have a classification of more than ten years.’”

The cheeky… In fairness, Fordyce also said that Sunderland ships were built to the highest of standards.

A 2006 BBC programme hosted by Victoria Coren (before she was Mitchell) called

took the time to examine the origin of the word Mackem.

It didn’t get far, although it did establish that the earliest known printed used of the word was in your soaraway Sunderland Echo, in a 1988 article by the much-missed Frank Entwisle.

Different spelling, but he mentioned “Mak-ems” in a feature about Notorianni’s, which is as Mackem an institution as any. We’re claiming it.

But is “Mackem” an insult? Well that was the original intention, but not now.

The alternative is to be called a Geordie when you’re on holiday. Not that anyone is suggesting that this other epithet is an insult of course.