Spaggy

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Spaggy (North American English: spitball) is a term commonly used in British schools. It refers to a piece of paper that has been chewed, usually by pupil, which may subsequently be spat out. Spaggies are a familiar sight on the ceilings of British classrooms. They may also be called a 'boggy' or 'boggies'.

Contents 1 Spaggy media 2 Spaggy delivery techniques 3 Purpose 4 Health and social implications

[edit] Spaggy media

A variety of different papers can be used, such as tissue or toilet paper. Perhaps the most common type of spaggy is that made from pieces of wide-ruled A4 refill, as this is readily available in the classroom.

[edit] Spaggy delivery techniques

There are also several different techniques for dispatching spaggies. They can be spat or they can be thrown. A potent technique involves using the barrel of a ballpoint pen, especially a bic crystal as a blowpipe.

[edit] Purpose

Typical targets for spaggies include other pupils as well as members of teaching and auxiliary staff.

A popular approach involves firing spaggies at the ceiling. Depending on certain variables (such as the consistency, length time spent chewing or the amount of saliva upon the spaggy) different outcomes can be expected. Technique and individual preference determine whether the result is permanent adherence to the ceiling or alternatively a delayed descent onto a targets head.

[edit] Health and social implications

In many cultures spaggies would be considered unsavoury, and this is indeed true in 21st century Britain. This is certainly the case with heightened public awareness of hygiene and salivary-borne infectious diseases. However, at the time of writing there is no published evidence of spaggies as disease vectors. Similarly unclear are the health issues arising from swallowing the dyes on lined paper, which are liable to run in a moist oral environment. Whilst these concerns may or may not be unfounded, a more immediate problem may be that of spaggies used as a rather unpleasant and intimidating bullying technique.