I've found eight ways to communicate in the Black Country using only two letters 'A.I'

We perfected text message shorthand before mobile phones were ever invented, day we?

In the Black Country we have a myriad of phrases that could easily bamboozle outsiders, some of which are longer and more complex than the 'proper' word it represents. To some, a dog is a 'wommel', food is 'fittle' and a moth, depending on its size, is a 'bobhowler'.

But in other cases, we've shortened everything down. Right down, to where single letters can represent entire words. We've tickled ourselves saft just thinking about them, so thought we'd share them with you.

It might have been the Black Country comedian Jonny Cole who originally made light of Yam Yams and their ability to convey sentiments through single letters alone, so props have to go to him for the inspiration - you can check out his website for his forthcoming tour dates if you fancy a loff.

Read more: I went to famous old Birmingham pub for tea and did a dine-and-dash

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Let's decode some phrases you can say in the Black Country that only use two letter combinations! Are we missing any? Let us know in the comments below!

O.R: This is what you'd say to someone to convey that you understand what they're saying. For example, if they ask: "Which way did you gew?" and you say "all 'round the Wrekin", they might reply: "O.R" to show they're on the same page.

A.I: This is something you'd add to the end of a sentence to further drive home the point that you've done something. For example, if you'd been for a super fast run down by the canal, you might say: "Arv bin tear-arsing about down the cut, A.I?"

A.U: You'd use this phrase as a way to show someone that you know what they're about. For example, if you know someone's going to get some alcohol from the off licence, you might say: "You'm gewin down the outdoor A.U?"

U.A: This is statement to show someone that you know they're not what they're suggesting. It can also be used to express surprise. For example, if someone tells you they've won the bingo, you might look flabbergasted while exclaiming: "U.A?!"

I.A: This is more a phrase to show that you haven't done something, or that you're not what someone's suggesting. For example, if someone says: "Yow've got a cob on!" you might reply: "I.A!"

M.A: This is similar to the above, only this time it's about more than one person. For example, someone might suggest that the Dingles am going to win the derby. To that, you'd quip: "M.A!"

A.E: This is a statement you'd make about a man. So, let's say the guy you're referring to is an idiot and you're telling your friend about it. You might say: "He's a yampy cowbag, A.E?"

E.A: This is what your friend might reply to the above if they're defending the man you called a cowbag. You say: "He's a yampy cowbag, A.E?" and they'd say: "E.A!"