IT is no secret that Brenda Blethyn and cast are some of the most popular characters in prime time television with millions tuning in for every episode.

The revered actress who plays DCI Vera Stanhope in the ITV crime series, Vera continues to draw in viewers right across the region, and beyond.

So it might come as no surprise that when episodes of the show air outside of the North East, some of the dialogue we use is misunderstood.

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But it seems one word in particular is leaving viewers extremely confused as it keeps popping up in episodes.

The Northern Echo: Picture: NORTHERN ECHOPicture: NORTHERN ECHO

On social media, puzzled viewers have been trying to determine what DCI Stanhope actually means when she says "bairn."

Describing what they think she is saying, viewers have interpreted the word in a mixture of ways from "bens/bins" to "barns" - and still do not know.

Read more: This is why Vera didn't air and was replaced by Trigger Point on ITV

On one thread, confused viewers debated the spelling of the word, and in some cases asked how it should be pronounced.

"How do you pronounce it"

One viewer said: "Could people share with me what exactly the word is that Vera uses referring to babies or children? It sounds like bens or bins...something like that."

Another eager viewer said: "How do you pronounce it, BARNS OR BENS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW."

Dozens of further comments suggested confused viewers were using subtitles to try and determine what the mystery word is.

However, it seems the people in the North East were more than keen to put a stop to any confusion.

One said: "The word bairn comes from the Old English word bearn, a "descendant," and is related to the verb bear, as in bearing children."

Many found the funny side of the "mystery word," saying they loved how Vera bosses incorporate slang to make the show appear more realistic. 

Others then shared more slang, commonly used in the North East, including a comprehensive list of words from manky to bait.

The show is currently taking a break in the UK but ITV has said several more episodes are due to air, with filming restarting later this year.

As it was confirmed, Brenda Blethyn herself took to social media to share her fans' excitement.

She tweeted: "There are two episodes still to be shown and we start filming four more in March. Yaaaaaay!."

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