In response to the B&P programe I emailed them with the words to a song I remembered from the 70's.

To: History - word hunt
Subject: Word Hunt Feedback

Word: Mackem

Comment:
In the 1970's the word was used in a song sung by Newcastle fans to the tune of the "laughing policeman"

I know a Mackem Tackem that lives along our way,
I know he is a Mackem cause he's so fat and gay,
And every time I see him it makes me want to spew,
That ****** Mackem Tackem from division two,
A ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
A ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
A ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
A ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

They replied with this!

Thank you for your email to the Balderdash & Piffle Wordhunt about the word mackem. I am writing from Takeaway Media, the television company who made Balderdash for the BBC. We were intrigued to hear about the mackem song to the tune of the Laughing Policeman – and it's great that you still remember it!

We have been commissioned to make a follow-up programme, featuring all the new evidence that has been sent in to us since the series went out, and as this made us laugh, we thought it might also appeal to the viewers. Would you mind us mentioning your name in the programme as the person who sent us the song? And if not, could you also let us know where you live (so that we can say "an email came in from so and so from Newcastle… or wherever)… and – you may flinch at this prospect but maybe not – might you consider singing it for us on camera?

I do hope you don't mind me writing to you in this way and please don't hesitate to get in touch if you would like to talk further about it.

Best wishes,

Helena Braun
Takeaway Media

Yep that'll be me on national TV upsetting everyone in Sunderland!