Harry (derogatory term)

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For other uses, see Harry.

Harry is a Norwegian derogatory term used in slang, derived from the English name Harry.^[1] The best english translation may be cheesy or shabby.

"Harry" is often used to describe not-urban culture. A person who is harry is often perceived as unsophisticated, vulgar or with bad taste.^[1]^[2] The effect of bad taste is often charachterised with the term harry, e.g. a harry dress or a harry car.

Since the definition of good and bad taste is defined by the fashion and thereby is subjective, there is no precise definition of harry. D.D.E.s Sputnik, shopping in Sweden, Raggare culture and Mullet is often mentioned today. In the 70's it was the 60's' hairwax og sharp shoes what was harry. In the 80's the 70's' flared pants og whiskers, and in the 90's more or less everything that could be associated with the 80's. "Yesterday's fashion" will often be interpreted as harry. Often what is harry in one period can be hip retro fashion the next year. Artists and fashion makers can use this.

Harry may also be interpreted as something like macho. The feminin parallel will be doris.

The term "harry" was first used by upper class youth in Oslo in the beginning of the 20th century, and was used to describe people who belonged to the working class. The reason was that the people in the lower social classes at the time often gave their children English first names such as Harry, wherefrom the term has derived.