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Townie is a slang term, with several meanings. UK DEFINITIONS Rural context Originally it was used by rural people during the 20th century as an insult to urbanites who came into, what they perceived, their land and ruined it through pursuits such as hunting, rambling, and driving. Also, "townie" is thrown at people who move from cities or towns into local villages and are charged with disturbing the tranquility of the original village or hamlet. Having realised the wealth that townies bring to the countryside, the word is no longer as hostile a description as it once was - however, it is still used to differentiate rural people from city people with the implication that the latter is somehow inferior to the former. This is similar to the American usage of the term City Slicker . Urban context 1 Townies have long been referred to by city dwellers as those that are familiar with the centre of a city or large town. From the Pub s to the regular hang-outs that exist within the Central Business District , the term, when used indicates a street wise, fast Wit with a liking for Beer and possibly a red nose from Alcohol consumption. For instance one could say: "He's a right old townie" and mean it with affection. The term has unfortunately taken a different meaning in more recent years although the word 'townie' has been replaced with other variations, see Urban context 2. Urban context 2 ''Townie is one of many regional terms, including Chav , Ned and Scally to describe a current cultural youth group in the United Kingdom . For the main article on such groups, see Chav '' University context Townie can be used as a term by university students in a particular town when referring to the locals. This term overlaps with the above but is not necessarily restricted to groups and individuals specified above. Unlike its American equivalent, this usage of the term is almost always derogatory. It originated in the traditional university towns such as Oxford but its use is now becoming more widespread in other non-traditional university towns. US DEFINITION In communities where colleges or universities are located, the term townie is used to denote a person living in the community who does not attend or work for the college or university (as in the third definition of UK usage above). It can be derogatory or complimentary, depending on the location, speaker, and situation. The term may be a play off the phrase ''town and gown'' - to differentiate people living in town from people who wear academic gowns. In the Greater Boston, Massachusetts, townie connotes a white person born and raised in a given section of Boston, particularly those sections with a reputation for being hostile to new residents or visitors, such as Southie or Somerville . Generally townies are urban yet Provincial , caring little of the world outside their own neighborhood. Used with some derision by outsiders, residents of these areas consider the term a badge of pride. The high school football team of Charlestown, MA, for instance, is the Charlestown Townies . The 1981 movie, '' Taps '', has a scene of townies harassing cadets at a Military Academy . Another growing definition of a "townie" that is becoming more popular in small town USA is a college-aged person who never leaves the town in which, they were raised and went to school in and don't work or attend any form of college, and normally socialize with similar people that have also not left or will not leave the town. Another definition is the single word Kap. This is synonymous with townie. CANADIAN DEFINITION In Canada townie generally refers to one who now lives in a large urban setting but grew up in a small town. Townie is predomintantly a derogatory term for someone not used to the pace of city life. Often townie refers to someone from the British Columbia interior and specifically Fernie and/or Edgewater. In Newfoundland, it refers to a resident from "Town" ( St. John's / Mount Pearl area). Generally used by residents from "aroun' da bay" (Various fishing communities, and even larger centers like Gander or Corner Brook .) IRISH DEFINITION In Ireland , townie would just be used in reference to people from urban areas. It is used in a slightly fun yet slightly derogatory manner, normally against Dubliners who call people from rural areas, Culties . SEE ALSO |
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