inspired by Fandango’s One Word Challenge (FOWC), scalawag. I guess this is the equivalent of the UK word scallywag – the two words seem too alike to have different meanings.

In the UK, in my thinking at least, a scallywag refers to someone quite specific. Shortened to scally, it refers to a youngster, wearing the latest sportswear (Nike or Reebok or somesuch) including the latest sneakers. It became associated with people from Liverpool, just as a generalisation of what people wore up there. In fact, I seem to remember that I used to go by the handle “scallywag” on a few internet forums.

Anyway I came up with this short poem. There’s loads of UK slang in there but if there are words you don’t follow, post a comment.

Full of boast and swagger,
Emerges from his street,
The latest Nike trainers,
Worn proudly on his feet.

Bedecked in brand new trakky,
His Staffie as a prop,
He lights himself a spliff up,
And saunters to the shop.

He meets up with his cronies,
A uniform implied,
“There’s fuck all going on here”,
Amuse with a joyride.

They steal themselves a Beamer,
A shiny, brand new car,
Hotwire the engine into life,
But don’t get very far.

A hundred down the bypass,
They come upon a bend,
Car skids and flips right over,
Our scallies meet their end.