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Whale of a Linguistic Tale

Apparently, “Whale Tail” was selected by American Dialect Society this year as the “most creative word” of 2005. How did I miss this? I’d never even heard the use of “whale tail” in this context.

I’ll let you check out the Wikipedia article to get the full explanation.

I located this addition to the lexicon while researching the British slang-word “chav” which appeared in an article I was reading. There were three words I was interested in. “chav,” “yoof,” and “slag.”

“slag”

I’ll start with “slag,” because it’s older. “Slag” is equivalent to the American slang word “slut.” Wiktionary says it’s Australian and UK slang. I first remember seeing it on a comedy TV show in the mid 80’s on PBS. The show was called “The Comic Strip Presents.” Comedy greats Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French were involved in this show that produced separate satirical/parody episodes. When Maggie and I were in college this show was on late at night on WGBH, the local PBS station. One episode entitled “Slags” was about a futuristic gang of young miscreants.

The term “slags” was already in use as an insult at the time, and it has survived to the present day.

“chav”

“Chav” is a term I had never heard before. It seems to have become a very popular word in the UK and it reached some sort of noticeable threshold about 2003 or so. The term is slang for a particular subcultural stereotype. The closest thing in the states would be “wigger” but I think most readers here might be familiar with the “chav” stereotype if they imagine British 16-to-20somethings wearing “bling” jewelry, excessive name brands, and participating in numerous misanthropic behaviors such as that happy slapping. (mentined on Wikipedia, Aces Full)

One stereotypical characteristic of the chav involves lazy pronunciations of certain words, such as substituting the “f” sound where “th” is appropriate. “Wif” for “with.” Also, using a “k” sound instead of the “ing” sound. “Nofink” instead of “nothing.”

“yoof”

It took me a moment or two, but then the meaning of “yoof” became apparent; it’s “youth” in the slurring speech of a chav.

I found it interesting that the subject of the satirical comedy piece “Slags” was about a Clockwork Orange-esque future with brit youths running around committing crimes, and that looking up “slags” today led me back to this subculture which seems to have adopted petty and violent crime as a hallmark.

“Whale tail” turned up as one of the traits of chavettes, along with the “tramp stamp” — a term for lower back tattoos which is already catching on here.

Have you encountered any slang lately that was new to you, which you think you’re likely to use again in the near future? The only other compelling term I’ve heard recently is “Coultergeist” for Ann Coulter, but I have very little reason to refer to her on a regular basis.

Tech Tags: language words chav yoof slag british slang coultergeist coulter whale+tail tramp+stamp

Posted by James at July 9, 2006 4:07 PM
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