Hi,
This isn't restricted to just Gordies, although I understand what you mean. Most areas of the U.K. have their local sayings, be it in English or in slang such as Gordie, Cockney or even in my own local accent 'Aberdonian', where we speak Doric, which is similar to Geordie, in that over the years it has become a mixture of Anglo-Scots, Gaidhlig, Celtic, and Norse and probaly some 'Roman' too, as it all goes back so far. They have been around so long that they are well and truely a language in their own right.
All that the latest rulings are saying is that we need to take care when using these expressions now that we are a more mixed community and it could be easy for others to take some offence. For example, in Aberdeen and Shire, we reffer to boys as 'Loons' and girls as 'Quines' and it is perfectly acceptable. The word 'Loon' has nothing to do with the Engish meaning of the word and the word Quine goes back to the old 'French' Alliance, and comes from the word 'Equine' (Filly). However if WE used those words to English people or other strangers to the area, I expect too that YOU may take some offence, not knowing the history of these commonly used expressions. So, there is a need to just have a little think before you use them to those who come from elsewhere. There is certainly no reason why others couldn't enjoy learning about our regional expressions. It only helps to bring people together.
My other comment in regard to spouting off, word for word, what you hear, see or read in the news media is a serioius point as all too often people will spend the rest of the day pushing these comments around until the truth gets lost and only the desired affect left of what the political colour of that particular news editor, newspaper or radio & TV station wanted. WE really do need to be careful of these 'sound bites' and just have a little think and read between the lines before we get all het up over a particlular issue. Partricularly so if its a phone-in programme where it's the presenter's job to stir people up enough so that they pick the phone up and pay them lots of money, while resolving nothing.
It really is getting more and more difficult to find out where the truth lies in our 24 hour a day sound-bites. And without the truth we are not able to discuss or resolve serious issues properly.
Cheers,
BillEWS.