Talk:Ra (slang)

Hello, I'm the starter of this page. Here are some of my notes to be inserted later; in the meantime I am late for an appointment.

- RP accent, south-eastern English origins - brash personal conduct, talking loudly and condescendingly - raised collars - shorts and flip-flops in all weathers - hair: men: quiffed, sometimes with blonde dyed hair or just highlights, or long and floppy; women: carefully-constructed windblown look - excessive and showy accessories, especially with scarves, jewellery, belts and handbags - fur-lined Ugg boots, boating shoes - sleeveless bomber jackets (called body-warmers or gilets, the French pronunciation of gilet itself being a subject of scorn) - public school background and traditional associated stereotypes - sporty, especially in boating, horse-riding

- derivation: "hoorah Henry" or as an acronym for "rich arsehole" - a counterpoint to chavs?

Oops, forgot to sign myself off. Polocrunch 14:27, 12 March 2006 (UTC)


 * I am quite convinced that "rich arse hole" is a backronym. I would suggest the most likely derivation is from the exclaimation of "Hurrah" or "Oh, Hurrah!" in excitement. For reference, check the episode of The Young Ones called Bambi - at one point duing the parody of University Challenge, Emma Thompson's character chants, "Rah rah rah, we're going to smash the oiks!"
 * I would also suggest that the page be moved to "Rah", as that's the spelling I'm more familiar with (certainly more common at Durham University), and avoids confusion with Ra, the Egptian god. DWaterson 20:10, 27 April 2006 (UTC)


 * You're quite right. I wasn't aware of the spelling when I first made the article. Rah is a hotbed of class warfare, however, so let's be careful when the articles are merged.Polocrunch 00:32, 21 May 2006 (UTC)
 * I've now merged the two articles as best as possible. The whole thing is, unavoidably, very class-prejudiced and quite messy. "Ra (slang)" is now up for speedy deletion.Polocrunch 00:59, 21 May 2006 (UTC)
 * And I made it a redirect. Doesn't seem necessary to delete. -- SCZenz 02:03, 21 May 2006 (UTC)