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#1: Forbidden slang Author: Clare, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 6:24 pm
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Just finished reading The Wrong Chalet School and it says at the end of the book that "spiffing" was added to the list of forbidden slang. I wondered if we could compile a list of forbidden slang.

Some of Joey's:
Ripping
Topping
Absolute it!

#2: Author: Smile :), Location: Location? What's a location?

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 6:48 pm
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Sez you

#3: Author: Aquabird, Location: North Lanarkshire, Scotland

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 7:01 pm
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Nifty
Smashing

#4: Author: Lexi, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 7:03 pm
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Fermez les becs, tous les deux (I've probably spelled that totally wrong)

#5: Author: joyclark,

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 7:18 pm
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Rubber necked four flusher (or however it went)!

#6: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 7:40 pm
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Mean, vile, beastly.

#7: Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 7:55 pm
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Will have the faces off us (Shocks)

#8: Author: Smile :), Location: Location? What's a location?

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 8:20 pm
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tophole

#9: Author: Mel, Location: UP NORTH

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 9:37 pm
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foul (extremely forbidden)

#10: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 10:04 pm
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Just a thought - if foul was such a terribly bad word - how did Hilda and others cope with reading through the witches' first speech in Macbeth???

(For anyone that doesn't know the play - the witches dance round a cauldron chanting Fair is foul and foul is fair,)

#11: Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 11:50 pm
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Lesley wrote:

Just a thought - if foul was such a terribly bad word - how did Hilda and others cope with reading through the witches' first speech in Macbeth???

(For anyone that doesn't know the play - the witches dance round a cauldron chanting Fair is foul and foul is fair,)

That's different .... it's Shakespeare. Laughing

Look at the fun Jo and Co had with their talking like Shakespeare

#12: Author: Alex, Location: Cambs, UK

Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 10:28 am
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Isn't it because it's ok to use words with their proper meaning? So foul would (I think) mean bad smelling/gone off and beastly would be beast-like. It's only when you use them in an alternative way that they become slang.

#13: Author: Maeve, Location: Romania

Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 1:13 pm
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Why was "wizard" alright but not "smashing"?

Quote:

"Oh, smash-er-I mean wizard! " Vi said, hurriedly correcting herself. "Wizard!" was allowed in the school, but "smashing" most certainly was not.

#14: Author: Clare, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 4:26 pm
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They didn't like "smashing" because it sounds so destructive. I think someone tells Joey her books are "samshing" and she says" Oh I should hope not!"

#15: Author: Smile :), Location: Location? What's a location?

Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:10 pm
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Great Ceasears bathmat.

#16: Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline

Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:34 pm
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Spiffing (from wrong I think)

#17: Author: Laura V, Location: Merseyside

Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 1:02 pm
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is awfully forbidden or am I awfully wrong? Wink

#18: Author: Rosie, Location: Land of Three-Quarters Sky

Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 3:17 pm
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I think 'awfully' was more a case of being used too often, like 'marvellous'.

I am slightly concerned by how many of these expressions I use habitually...

#19: Author: Smile :), Location: Location? What's a location?

Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 7:57 pm
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Oh my hat!(cornelia says it in exploits)
glumph (cornelia says it in exploits)

#20: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 9:10 pm
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I wonder where all the money they nabbed from people for using slang/speaking the wrong language for the day went to ...

#21: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 11:10 pm
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Alison H wrote:

I wonder where all the money they nabbed from people for using slang/speaking the wrong language for the day went to ...

Didn't it go towards the beds they supported at the San?

#22: Author: Miriam, Location: Jerusalem, Israel

Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 9:53 pm
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Yes, all fines went to the San, except those for spiling something on the tablecloth (which went to the Spot Supper - at least after Miss Ferrars came to the CS).

It could be that tophole was not considered a 'ladylike' expression, because of the origin of the phrase. It probably came from one of those games at fairs where you scored points/got prizes for getting balls into various holes in a board. The top hole would have scored most, and thus the term 'tophole' was associated with something being particularly good. Young ladies would not have attended such events (like ice carnivals), and so the term would not have been considered appropriate for them to use. 'Wizard' has no such connotations (that I can think of) and would have been acceptable. THe general rule for forbidden slang seems to have been how 'nice' or ladylike the expression was - the more vulgar, the more likely it was to have been forbidden.

#23: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 8:05 am
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I'm guessing 'golloptious' would be banned as well, although we only hear it before they get to the school.

There seems to be far less slang in the later books, than in the early ones. Do you think this means the crusade against it was effective?

#24: Author: Mel, Location: UP NORTH

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 11:07 am
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I am imagining that when EBD was younger she would hear lots of people throwing up their hands in horror at slang. I think the Bright Young Things of the twenties used slang a lot as part of their style. Later it simply wasn't a big issue. Nowadays it would be a clamp down on four letter words. I wonder what EBD (and Hilda!) would have made of text speak?

#25: Author: RoseCloke, Location: In my pretty box-like room

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 7:19 pm
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LizB wrote:

There seems to be far less slang in the later books, than in the early ones. Do you think this means the crusade against it was effective?

She might also have picked up a lot of slang for her earlier books from her schoolgirls. I read somewhere that she stopped teaching once her writing became successful - maybe after a few years she didn't have a source for new slang, but equally didn't want to repeat herself?

#26: Author: alicat, Location: Wiltshire

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 11:18 am
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would love to see Hilda dealing with 'whatever'

also 'I knew that' which seems to be current slang for 'I'm never wrong about anything at all'

#27: Author: Rosie, Location: Land of Three-Quarters Sky

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 12:19 pm
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Wasn't there a drabble about Vicky Pollard at the CS? Fran, was it one of yours?!

#28: Author: Mrs Redboots, Location: London, UK

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 12:41 pm
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How about Lauren at the CS? Can't you just imagine the Abbess' reaction to: "But am I bovvered? Does this face look bovvered?"

#29: Author: Catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 3:48 pm
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She'd probably just gaze impassively at her until Lauren ran out of breath (if that's possible!!) Very Happy

#30: Author: jo_62, Location: Northern Ireland

Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 9:28 pm
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I've just started rereading the School at the Chalet, and there is plenty of slang on view from ALL the Bettanys in their initial discussions about the Tyrol!!!

#31: Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 9:22 am
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jo_62 wrote:

I've just started rereading the School at the Chalet, and there is plenty of slang on view from ALL the Bettanys in their initial discussions about the Tyrol!!!

But slang wasn't forbidden until the start of the next term anyway, after Madge realised that the parents of the continental girls wouldn't want their daughters learning that sort of English. Although I do seem to recall Madge telling Joey off for saying something towards the end of School, which might have been suitable for schoolboys, but certainly wasn't suitable for schoolgirls. I think that's the only instance in the first book.

#32: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 11:43 am
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alicat wrote:

would love to see Hilda dealing with 'whatever'

also 'I knew that' which seems to be current slang for 'I'm never wrong about anything at all'

Or "Talk to the hand" I would love to see Hilda's face at that one

#33: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 12:33 pm
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Vick Pollard was indeed one of mine as part of Little Chalet School. It can (I hope) be found in the drabbelorum.

#34: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 3:15 pm
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Fiona Mc wrote:

Or "Talk to the hand" I would love to see Hilda's face at that one

What does it mean? It's just come up in a book I'm reading (Joan Richards, Angles of Reflectioj)

Quote:

Holding up his hand, Ned gleefully offered the current schoolboy putdown. "Talk to the hand, not to the face! Leave a message after the beep."

and obviously I'm supposed to know. For that matter, I think I read a whole book by that title without figuring it out. Confused

(edited to spell "current" correctly)

Last edited by Kathy_S on Mon May 28, 2007 3:26 pm; edited 1 time in total

#35: Author: LizzieC, Location: Canterbury, UK

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 3:21 pm
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When I was at school (7 years ago) it was "Talk to the hand, the face ain't listening" (while holding ones hand at the speakers face). I assume it's origin is merely disrespect - the person isn't listening and the hand is a physical gesture to show that.

I never really understood it... it was just something everyone said.

#36: Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 5:30 pm
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I *THINK* the origins of "talk to the hand" are from the first Austin Powers movie - or, at least, that's where I first came across it. A slang website suggests it's a piece of 90s slang, while the Urban Dictionary suggests it's American Ghetto slang, so it could be that Mike Myers picked it up from there and then, basically, popularised it!

Wouldn't be the first piece of slang he's invented, though...

Ray *schwing!*

#37: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 11:55 pm
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They say it in the likes of Ricki Lake and Jerry Springer. A lot. (not that I watch those shows... Embarassed

)

#38: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 2:51 am
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After years of looking, I've finally found one of Evvy's words in a vintage girls' book, The Campfire Girls of Roselawn -- which has not one mention of Campfire, and appears to have been retitled from The Radio Girls of Roselawn, 1922. The speaker and her companion are the villains of the piece; Jessie, our heroine, has just encountered them forcing a struggling young woman into their car:

Quote:

"Bring her along, Martha!" exclaimed the woman already in the motor-car. "Here come a couple of rubber-necks."
This expression, to Jessie's mind, marked the driver of the automobile for exactly what she was. Nor did the face of the fat woman impress the girl as being any more refined.

So, definitely less than ladylike slang, and having about the same meaning as the modern accident-ogling rubber-necker.

#39: Author: LizzieC, Location: Canterbury, UK

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 3:48 pm
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To revive this thread briefly due to a discussion between me and my SLOC - was "horrid" forbidden slang? Apparently lately I've been saying "horrid" rather than "horrible" and my SLOC blames it on the CS. Is he right? Has my slang been unduly influenced by my choice of reading? Laughing

#40: Author: Rosalin, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:36 pm
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IIRC horrid was allowed but it was one of the words which the juniors/middles overused. I think there is an instance when a senior taunts some of the juniors/middles for using it too much. Is it Betty Wynne-Davies and the Highland twins?

Saying horrid rather than horrible always makes me feel CS-ey.

#41: Author: JustJen, Location: waiting for spring training

Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 12:35 am
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I've often wondered why Joan in Problems wasn't marched off to the Head again and left pennyless for the entire term when she swore at Alicia.
Being put in silence for the whole day? To quote the teens "Whatever!"

#42: Author: Hannah-Lou, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:59 pm
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And didn't Phil Craven swear at Mary-Lou? I seem to remember she did and didn't get much of a punishment. A threat to wash her mouth out if it happened again or something.

(Just corrected a typo in the first sentence, but I'd quite like to leave it in, cos it made me giggle - the first draft read, "And didn't Phil Craven sweat at Mary-Lou?")

#43: Author: Holly,

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:21 pm
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Hannah-Lou wrote:

And didn't Phil Craven swear at Mary-Lou? I seem to remember she did and didn't get much of a punishment. A threat to wash her mouth out if it happened again or something.

(Just corrected a typo in the first sentence, but I'd quite like to leave it in, cos it made me giggle - the first draft read, "And didn't Phil Craven sweat at Mary-Lou?")

They threatened mouth-washing a few times - did any of the staff ever actually do it. I imagine that that would be more of a deterrent than losing a few pence pocket money.

#44: Author: rae86, Location: Cornwall

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:05 pm
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I think 'absolutely it' might be one as well.

Did anyone in real life actually wash children's mouths out with soap? Or is that something that's said and never done?

#45: Author: Travellers Joy, Location: Middle of Nowhere

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:10 pm
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rae86 wrote:

I think 'absolutely it' might be one as well.

Did anyone in real life actually wash children's mouths out with soap? Or is that something that's said and never done?

My brother had his mouth washed out with soap on several occasions! It didn't seem to deter him a great deal - except perhaps when our parents were around to hear him.

#46: Author: Liane, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 3:05 pm
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My Nana once soaped my cousin's mouth.

#47: Author: Joyce, Location: Hong Kong

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:44 am
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Doesn't Joan tell someone to 'go to hell' in Problem. I can't remember who she says it to though.

I think it's Emerence who swears at ML in Shocks, not Phil. Or maybe it was both. I can imagine her annoying them enough to warrant it. Smile

Doesn't Emerence also tell the gang that that is nothing compared to what she could say?

I would have loved to see Miss Annersley or Matey dealing with 'talk to the hand'. I can just imagine a girl calmly strolling out of her study with her hand held up.

Cheers,
Joyce

#48: Author: Mrs Redboots, Location: London, UK

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:39 pm
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Joyce wrote:

I would have loved to see Miss Annersley or Matey dealing with 'talk to the hand'. I can just imagine a girl calmly strolling out of her study with her hand held up.

Cheers,
Joyce

How about "Am I bovvered?" Lauren of the Chalet School, anybody?! Wink

#49: Author: Katherine, Location: London, UK

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:07 pm
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Mrs Redboots wrote:

Joyce wrote:

I would have loved to see Miss Annersley or Matey dealing with 'talk to the hand'. I can just imagine a girl calmly strolling out of her study with her hand held up.

Cheers,
Joyce

How about "Am I bovvered?" Lauren of the Chalet School, anybody?! Wink

For something similar the first post of francesn's Little Britain drabble featured the lovely Vicky Pollard
Don't think anyone's done Lauren yet though.

#50: Author: JackieP, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:19 pm
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Curse you Katherine - I've now been bitten by a bunny about a new Drama master at the CS, loosely based on one of CT's creations (only loosely as the specific creation is based on my old drama tutor from college - nice and complicated there!)

*swats Bunny away until after Iolanthe and Dido*

JackieP

#51: Author: Grizel,

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:57 pm
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Did Joey once use the word Gumswiszeld? (early books?)

#52: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:58 am
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It's in response to Marie & Eugen's engagement in New House.

Quote:

Characteristically, Jo was the first to recover herself. "Well I be gum-swizzled!" she ejaculated.
"Josephine! What language! I am ashamed of you!"
Then all of the girls sprang to their feet, for the voice was the voice of Madge Russell, and they had seen next to nothing of her that term....

(I only have the 3-in-one of this one, and wonder if the paperback misquotes the more usual "I'll be gum-swizzled." If not, I might agree with Madge...)

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