Meet 'Ned'

[peteryoung]

Anyone who reads Ken MacLeod's blog may have learned on Saturday that his son had been headbutted on Cockburn Street by a 'ned'. An unfamiliar Scots word to Fred Kiesche and myself, we're wondering what, precisely, is a 'ned'?

On yesterday's flight I also asked this question of a wee Highland lassie on the crew (well, she's from Aberdeen), and after some deliberation she's sure it's an acronym for 'non-educated delinquent'.

Sounds good, or am I having my leg pulled by a canny Scot?

Comments

[missfairchild.livejournal.com]

This is timely. I'm going to do a poll either today or tomorrow, in the definition of a number of Scots words including "ned". The urban dictionary has this entry, corresponding to your colleague's definition, although I must say it is a new one on me.

More later. [rubs hands together conspiratorially]

[peteyoung.livejournal.com]

Ooh, ta!

[ang-grrr.livejournal.com]

Crivvens!

[(Anonymous)]

I've hear that definition given as well. I suspect that it came after the word was in general use. A ned is your basic yob: fake designer clothes, 9ct gold jewelry, shit for brains and a violent disposition.

[green-amber.livejournal.com]

This is rather like the discussion I was having about whether one "pikey" (south eastern tongue?) equals two "schemies" (Glaswegian.) My Scouse flatmate then contributed her version: scally. Meanwhile I thought ned was a completely universal UK word. Is it really only Scottish? I thought I heard it used in Tommy but maybe I dreamt it. And yes, the non-educated delinquent story is certainly one I've heard before, tho that proves nowt.

[marypcb.livejournal.com]

a scally is a rascal, a bit of a ducker and diver - it has a note of affection and tolerance that neds, rugger buggers and other loud and unwelcome tossers don't have extended to them. I hadn't heard ned before I heard it from feorag

[peteyoung.livejournal.com]

I always thought the Scouse 'scally' was only slightly derogatory (doesn't it comes from 'scallywag', the local name for a guy who works on tall chimneys?). I didn't know there was a particularly negative connotation to it.

[feorag.livejournal.com]

A ned is the same thing as a lager lout. The acronym is a back-formation.

[dyfferent.livejournal.com]

Don't people in Reading call 'em townies?

[peteyoung.livejournal.com]

It's rumoured most of 'em live in Whitley Wood. ;-)

Random bits...

[(Anonymous)]

Pete:

And following all that, I reiterate what I originally said to you, using the G.B. Shaw quote.

I was unable to follow 99.9% of what was just described!

Fred Kiesche