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You underestimate the history of geordies and mackems which actually goes back hundreds of years. In the 1600s Newcastle was attacked by the Scottish Army, who sided with Cromwell against King Charles. Sunderland allowed the Scots the use of their region as a supply base, leaving Newcastle open to attack from both flanks and the Toon was subsequently overran. Ever since there has existed a bitter rivalry between Newcastle and the traitors who sold us out, Sunderland. The term mackem actually dates back to the early shipbuilding industry, the people of Wearside Mack'em (make them) and other Tack'em (take them). It began as an insult.
The mackems have recently tried to embrace this word, pretending to be proud of being 'mackems'. People elsewhere used to call anyone from the north-east (even Durham!), a geordie, but with greater awareness through TV, and Sunderland gaining city status etc, the rest of the country has began to make the distinction, and the mackems moved in line with that trend. Now they disassosciate themselves with the term 'geordie'. The only mackem who would call himself a geordie is either 30 years out of touch, a twat, or both 
Last edited by evil_bastard on Jan-11-2003 at 21:09
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