What it means
A label for someone from outside Liverpool, especially nearby towns like the Wirral, St Helens or Runcorn, who hangs around Merseyside and claims they're proper Scouse. Usually said with a smirk, but it can sting if you're trying too hard. Often shortened from woollyback, and your accent is what gives you away every time.
Usage examples
"Our Kev's chatting like he's from Kenny, but his accent's pure Runcorn. Stop grafting lad, you're a wool. Get the butties on."
"He talks the talk but he's a wool from over the water, you can tell by the accent."
"Don't call him a proper Scouser, he's a wool from St Helens."
"She's been in town five minutes and now she's saying la every other sentence. Behave, you're still a wool from the Wirral."
"Don't start putting on the Scouse twang now, lad. We know you're a wool and your accent's already snitched on you."
Where it comes from
Short for woollyback, a long-running Scouse dig for people from outside Liverpool, especially nearby places across Merseyside and Cheshire, who get seen as not quite properly local. The sting lives in class, place, and accent. If someone’s trying too hard to sound Scouse, calling them a wool lands fast.
This expression also appears in
