My that sounds just like Cumbria, as you say madasaferret, it's HOW it's said, and in Cumbria, that's how a lot of the guys greet pals "Assa Marra, how's yu doin ya old bar steward" and in times of stress, "whit's thee lookin at PAL" before landing the said PAL a smack. And yes I'm a soothmoother and have never had a problem with being called one.