4th July 2005, 03:36 AM
The word in question is a perjorative slang term of obscure etymology, it has no dictionary definition which may be used to deem it a racist term. The word is generally held to be a contraction of the word ?turnpike? and may derive from the use of the term to describe someone as rough as the operators of the turnpike toll roads were often abrasive and aggressive in their extraction of the toll for using these roads. Alternatively, the term may have its origins in the word ?turnpike? in its non-toll road meaning, as the place where travelling thieves or beggars (not genuine gypsy or travelling communities) camped. While the term has been used to describe travelling people there are various kinds of travellers, of which only Romany and Irish travellers occur with enough frequency to be described as racial groups. Therefore, unless specifically applied to a Romany or Irish person the term is not racist as travelling is a lifestyle choice, not a race. In recent years the definition of the word in question has become more open and it can be used to refer to a section of the ?urban underclass? otherwise referred to by regional terms such as neds, chavs, charvers, etc., this is primarily the sense I used the word in, in reference to the moonraking, selfish attitude of some detectorists.
I make no apology for using the term as where I come from it has no racist connotations. In future perhaps people would refrain from knee-jerk Student Grant-style reactions, I will consider myself suitably chastised and banned from the Student Union until further notice.
I make no apology for using the term as where I come from it has no racist connotations. In future perhaps people would refrain from knee-jerk Student Grant-style reactions, I will consider myself suitably chastised and banned from the Student Union until further notice.