NED (SCOTTISH)

'Ned' is a derogatory term applied to certain young people in Scotland (similar to the terms chav used in Wales and England, skanger in Ireland, and spide in Northern Ireland). The stereotypical view of a ned is a white adolescent male, of working class background, who wears fake Burberry, who engages in hooliganism, petty criminality, loutish behaviour, underage drinking and smoking or general anti-social behaviour^[1]. They are often assumed to be unemployed.

The ''Collins English Dictionary'' defines ''ned'' as "a derogatory term for a young working-class person who dresses in casual sports clothes"^[2], although this omits the hooligan element.

Contents

Etymology

Similar terms

Stereotype

Neds in the media

References

External links

Etymology

The exact origin of the term remains unclear. According to Rosie Kane, former MSP for the Scottish Socialist Party ''ned'' is an acronym derived from the phrase "non-educated [sic] delinquent"^[3], although in truth this derivation is a backronym. In addition, "uneducated" is the more usual term.
Another possible explanation is that the term is a derivation of Teddy Boys, a very different cultural phenomenon in terms of style, but similar in the way they were feared by the general public and demonised by the popular press. The term ''ned'' was used in Glasgow to describe Teddy Boys in the 1950s, and may have resurfaced to describe these new gangs around the turn of the millennium. Teddy, like Ned, is a derivative of Edward, a reference to the Edwardian-style clothes of the Teddy Boys.

Similar terms

The term "" is also used in Scotland, a reference to housing "schemes" is used synonymously with "ned" and in Edinburgh there is the term "nid", derived from the Niddrie housing estate. The term "bam" can still be heard in the same context, but "ned" has generally replaced it in modern culture. "Bam" is also generally used more narrowly to describe a lack of intelligence or common sense. The words "nedette" and "senga" are occasionally used to refer to female "neds".

Stereotype

The stereotypical dress of a ned consists of a baseball cap, nearly always worn at an upwards angle. The baseball cap can be seen as a status symbol or identity marker, with certain brands, such as Burberry or Nike, considered preferable along with the MLB Baseball team the New York Yankees. In September 2004, Burberry stopped making branded baseball caps, possibly due to their close association with neds, ned culture, or English chavs ^[4]. Other items may include a football shirt (often that of a major European club to which the wearer might have no other obvious affiliation) or striped top, and a shell or track suit. Accessories include plain gold earrings, chain necklaces and sovereign rings (which are effectively knuckledusters). Female neds (sometimes known as Sengas) commonly display a variety of jewellery, almost always gold.
Teenage neds are stereotypically associated with underage drinking, smoking and drugs in parks and public places, at any time of day. A sterotypical female ned would be portrayed with a pram, such as Vicky Pollard from the British TV comedy series Little Britain. Typically teenage neds will be seen drinking cheap alcohol, generally large 2 or 3 litre bottles of cider in plastic bottles. Iconically they are associated with Buckfast Tonic Wine, which has nicknames including 'Buckie', 'The Wine', 'Tonic', 'commotion lotion' and 'wreck-the-hoose juice'.^[5].

Neds in the media

Neds are a staple of Scottish comedy, featuring in major comedy shows such as Rab C. Nesbitt, Chewin' the Fat ^[6] and Still Game, as well as being the butt of jokes by Scottish stand up comedians.

References

1. BBC News - Ned arrives - it's official, retrieved 8th May 2006
2. BBC News - Neds make it into the dictionary, retrieved 8th May 2006
3. SSP News - Tough talk on youth crime, 5th July 2003, retrieved 17th April 2007
4. Sky News - End of 'hooligan' cap, retrieved 8th May 2006
5. BBC news report
6. Chewin the Fat - Neducation, retrieved 8th May 2006

External links

★ Dispersal orders in Aberdeen (BBC News)