pejorative
A pejorative or slur is a word or grammatical form expressing a negative or a disrespectful connotation, a low opinion, or a lack of respect toward someone or something. It is also used to express criticism, hostility, or disregard. Sometimes, a ...
epithet
An epithet (, ), also byname, is a descriptive term (word or phrase) known for accompanying or occurring in place of a name and having entered common usage. It has various shades of meaning when applied to seemingly real or fictitious people, di ...
. Though it has never been formally defined in the
Dictionary of Newfoundland English
The ''Dictionary of Newfoundland English'' is a regional dictionary edited by G. M. Story, W.J. Kirwin, and J.D.A Widdowson, first published by Toronto University Press in 1982. Based out of Memorial University of Newfoundland, it is an internati ...
, it is used as a
stereotype
In social psychology, a stereotype is a generalized belief about a particular category of people. It is an expectation that people might have about every person of a particular group. The type of expectation can vary; it can be, for exampl ...
to describe someone who is ignorant, aggressive, and unruly, with a pattern of
vernacular
A vernacular or vernacular language is in contrast with a "standard language". It refers to the language or dialect that is spoken by people that are inhabiting a particular country or region. The vernacular is typically the native language, n ...
use of English, drug and alcohol use, and who is involved in petty crime, very similar to the word "
chav
"Chav" (), also "charver", "scally" and "roadman" in parts of England, is a British term, usually used in a pejorative way. The term is used to describe an anti-social lower-class youth dressed in sportswear.
*
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* "Chavette" is a related te ...
" used in the UK.
From this noun, the adjective “skeety” is derived.
History
The origin of this use of skeet is unknown. However, it is possible that it is a new use of an old word, coming out of the use of skeet as ‘rascal’. There have been some who theorize that the use of the word skeet is linked to the townie versus bayman divide in
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador (; french: Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador; frequently abbreviated as NL) is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region ...
and how it speaks to class, education, and use of vernacular Newfoundland English.
Use as Pejorative
Skeet has been called a pan-provincial slur against rural life. It is linked to stereotypes of those living in outport communities: the use of vernacular Newfoundland English, living in economically poor areas, and to lower levels of education. Though vernacular use of English is on the decline in Newfoundland and Labrador, those that continue to speak using non-standard forms of English are often stereotyped as uneducated fishermen from Newfoundland outports.
Skeets are characterised as rough around the edges, unintelligent, poorly dressed, and poorly spoken. However, of equal importance is the skeets' connection to petty crime, and drug and alcohol use. Skeet stereotype is linked to those living in economically poor areas and lower levels of education. The stigma of being from a lower income area, or dropping out of school is associated with being a skeet, and it is unlikely that an educated or professional person would be associated with the term unless it was used in jest.
Ultimately, some believe that using the word skeet says more about the person using it than the person being referred to. It is a word that allows people to pass negative comment, and is more a reflection of modern post-capitalism culture than a true identity.
This use of skeet is virtually unknown outside of the province, though people displaying the same characteristics may be referred to as
white trash
White trash is a derogatory racial and class-related slur used in American English to refer to poor white people, especially in the rural southern United States. The label signifies a social class inside the white population and especially a ...
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tota ...
and the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., federal district, five ma ...
,
chav
"Chav" (), also "charver", "scally" and "roadman" in parts of England, is a British term, usually used in a pejorative way. The term is used to describe an anti-social lower-class youth dressed in sportswear.
*
*
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* "Chavette" is a related te ...
in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
,
spide
"Chav" (), also "charver", "scally" and "roadman" in parts of England, is a British term, usually used in a pejorative way. The term is used to describe an anti-social lower-class youth dressed in sportswear.
*
*
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* "Chavette" is a related ...
in
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label=Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. North ...
, or skanger in
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
. Sandra Clarke suggests there could be a connection between skeet and
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island (PEI; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is the smallest province in terms of land area and population, but the most densely populated. The island has several nicknames: "Garden of the Gulf", ...
’s skite.
Pop Culture
Bands like
Gazeebow Unit Gazeebow Unit is a rap group from Newfoundland, Canada, founded by a group of teenagers in the provincial capital of St. John's. Gazeebow Unit uses a home computer to develop their music; they integrate samples and downloaded drum loops.
, a hip-hop group from Airport Heights, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador play on some of the stereotypes of skeet, incorporating it into their music and parody the skeet stereotype.
Some local Newfoundland and Labrador companies have begun to use the word on some of their products.
See also
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Gazeebow Unit Gazeebow Unit is a rap group from Newfoundland, Canada, founded by a group of teenagers in the provincial capital of St. John's. Gazeebow Unit uses a home computer to develop their music; they integrate samples and downloaded drum loops.
, a Newfoundland rap group with skeet cultural references
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Ned (Scottish)
Ned is a derogatory term applied in Scotland to hooligans, louts or petty criminals.Chav (United Kingdom)
Journal of English Linguistics
''The Journal of English Linguistics'' is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal covering the field of linguistics. The editors-in-chief are Peter Grund ( University of Kansas) and Alexandra D'Arcy ( University of Victoria). It was establis ...