Angelina Jolie surprised the Hollywood Film Awards audience when she greeted Derby actor Jack O’Connell with “ay up me duck”.
The actress spoke in a Derby accent and introduced Jack O’Connell with the East Midlands phrase as she presented him with an award at the Hollywood Film Awards.
Some television viewers tweeted in delight while others did not understand why she was talking about a duck.
Jack O’Connell has the lead role in Angelina Jolie’s upcoming film Unbroken.
Angelina Jolie produced and directed the war drama, a chronicle of the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by Japanese forces during World War Two.
Speaking at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Angelina Jolie said: “It is my privilege to present the New Hollywood award to the least Hollywood artist I know, straight from Derby, ay up me duck, Jack O’Connell.”
The audience then laughed when Jack O’Connell greeted them by saying: “Ay up me ducks.”
“Ay up” is a greeting typically used in the North of England and the Midlands instead of “hello”.
“Me” means “my”, while “duck” is an affectionate term for another person.
“Duck” originates from the Saxon word ducas, according to historian Steve Birks, and has nothing to do with the bird of the same name.
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