Skeet (Newfoundland)
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The noun skeet in Newfoundland and Labrador English is considered to be a
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 example ...
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 English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...
, 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. * * * * "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 An outport is any port considered secondary to a main port (including a provincial one as opposed to a capital one), and often (especially) a small port built to support the commercial operations of a large port. The Port of Tilbury from the Port ...
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 ...
, or
trailer trash ''Trailer trash'' is a derogatory North American English term for poor people living in a trailer or a mobile home. It is particularly used to denigrate white people living in such circumstances History In the mid-20th century, poor whites who ...
in some areas of
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 tot ...
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 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
,
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. * * * * "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 continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
,
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. * * * * "Chavette" is a related te ...
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. Nort ...
, 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, 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 seve ...
’s skite.


Pop Culture

Bands like Gazeebow Unit, 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

* Gazeebow Unit, a Newfoundland rap group with skeet cultural references *
Ned (Scottish) Ned is a derogatory term applied in Scotland to hooligans, louts or petty criminals.Chav (United Kingdom)


References

{{reflist


Further reading

*
‘Not the Cream of the Crop’: Using the Word 'Skeet' as Vernacular Speech in Newfoundland
'. Leslie Pierce, Folklore Department,
Memorial University of Newfoundland Memorial University of Newfoundland, also known as Memorial University or MUN (), is a public university in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, based in St. John's, with satellite campuses in Corner Brook, elsewhere in Newfoundland and ...
, 2006. *
Best of St John's: Best of Local Slang
'. '' The Scope'', 4 January 2012 *
Hip-hop in a Post-insular Community: Hybridity, Local Language, and Authenticity in an Online Newfoundland Rap Group
' Sandra Clarke, ''
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 established ...
'', 2007 Anti-social behaviour Canadian slang Culture of Newfoundland and Labrador Fashion aesthetics Newfoundland and Labrador society Class-related slurs Social class subcultures Stereotypes of the working class Canadian youth culture European-Canadian culture Working-class culture in Canada Socioeconomic stereotypes