Skanger

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Skanger or scanger (IPA: [skɑŋəɹ]) [1]) is a derogatory term for a member of a working-class youth subculture group in Ireland, similar to the chav in the United Kingdom.[2][3]

The stereotypical skanger is said to wear a tracksuit, gold jewellery, a replica football shirt, athletic shoes, tattoos, fake Burberry caps, piercings, is from a working class area, and speaks with a marked working-class accent. Male skangers tend to have cropped (commonly bleached) haircuts and drive cars with loud sound and exhaust systems and can be called boy racers due to their tendency to drive at speed. Pyjamas, bleached-blonde hair and large hoop earrings are popular with howiyas (females).[1][4] Skangers have a reputation for anti-social behaviour.[5]

Contents

[edit] Etymology

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According to Professor Terence Dolan of the Department of English in University College Dublin and author of A Dictionary of Hiberno English[6]:

"Much of the influence comes from London where the origins of the word 'skanger' can be found. I'm pretty certain this is a collapsed form of the word "scavenger" from a West Indian word used by the Caribbean community in London."[1]

Dolan's dictionary gives the West Indian slang word "skanker", meaning an untrustworthy or unreliable person, as a possible source of the word.

[edit] Depictions in popular culture

[edit] See also

Other youth subcultures that resemble skangers:

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Did you snog? No, I scored, you muppet — Irish Independent newspaper article, 8 February 2006.
  2. ^ 'Asbo' and 'Chav' make dictionary, BBC News, 8 June 2005.
  3. ^ This cackle about cackleberries is enough to leave you scunnered, The Guardian newspaper article, 9 June 2005.
  4. ^ Pyjama Party — The Irish Times newspaper article, 11 November 2006.
  5. ^ "Every skanger from Timahoe to Termonfeckin is out burning tyres, stoning firemen and demanding bin bags of chocolate." — Luas Talk — Irish Independent newspaper column, 28 October 2006.
  6. ^ A Dictionary of Hiberno English by Terence Dolan, Gill & Macmillan, ISBN 0-7171-2942-X
  7. ^ "As foulmouthed Dublin skanger Lehiff, Farrell is a violent petty criminal" Intermission — film review from the RTÉ website, retrieved 29 November 2006.
  8. ^ The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightdress, by Ross O'Carroll-Kelly, Penguin Books, ISBN 1-84488-089-3.

[edit] External links

[edit] Humour