Ey up
Ey up is a Yorkshire and northern greeting meaning hello, and can also mean "look out" or "what's this?". "Ey up, how do?" is a friendly hello; "ey up!" on its own, said sharply, warns of something coming.
In practice
The phrase is heard across Yorkshire and the north and Midlands of England, and it is one of the most recognisable features of Yorkshire speech. It is informal but not rude: shopkeepers, neighbours and colleagues may greet you with it. In its other sense it can express surprise or mock suspicion - "ey up, what's he after?" - and context makes the meaning clear.
Why it matters to newcomers
If someone says "ey up" to you, they are saying hello; a simple "alright?" or "hiya" back is enough. It is part of the warmth people associate with Leeds, and nobody will mind if you take a while to say it yourself.
Related
- Nowt and owt - more everyday Yorkshire words
- Mardy - what you are if you will not say it back
- Loiner - who says it
Source: Wiktionary: ey up.