28 November 2008

What has happened to Canberra’s booners?

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[First filed: November 27, 2008 @ 10:58]

On a recent thread johnboy answered the question “what on earth is a booner” with:

    proto-bogan

    much like a westie but wearing an iron maiden tshirt and tighter jeans.

    mostly extinct.

As someone who came of age in Canberra during the heyday of the booner—the 80s and 90s—this got me thinking.

During these glorious years Canberra had heaps of booners, just as Sydney had its westies and Melbourne its bogans. Essentially they are the same thing, just living in different places. But now we are asked to believe that the Canberra booner is a dying breed. Indeed, my learned colleagues on the fiercely parochial RiotAct surprisingly insist on calling these good folk ‘bogans’ instead of the geographically specific ‘booners’.

So, what has happened to Canberra’s booners?

I put forward two possible reasons for the booner’s apparent demise:
1. It is just a matter of terminology – they are still around but everyone now calls them bogans; and
2. As johnboy suggests, along with watering your lawn, Raiders Lime flavoured milk and the Northbourne Avenue Summernats Super Cruise, booners are naught but another Canberra cultural relic. We Canberrans were fortunate to have booners back in the day, but that era is long gone and we now have to make do with the generic bogan.

I say no to both of these hypotheses! The Canberra booner lives!

Sure, he/she might now wear ill-fitting American sports gear and drive some half-sik ute instead of black Levis, an Anthrax t-shirt and brown desert boots, but he/she is still out there – swearing loudly on the bus, scribbling his/her name on playgrounds, smoking durries at the local shops and riding a BMX in the stormwater drains. That is, being a booner.

Canberra – am I right here? Does our fair city still have booners and we have simply lost the ability to identify them as such?

Or if booners are a fading memory from this town’s halcyon pre-self government days, did any of you ever identify as a booner or do you have a claim to booner heritage?

Booners

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“Westie” and “bogan” are both essentially classist slurs, referring to people of lower socio-economic upbringing, whose (much-discussed) tastes and tendencies are largely typical of that class/culture.

Booners – while aesthetically quite similar – are (or were) something quite distinct; and the key factor, which has barely been acknowledged in the discussion, is music. Boonerism is primarily an expression of a passion for heavy music.

Westies/bogans had their late 70s pub rock – AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, The Angels, etc. which was the essential soundtrack to their culture; but it didn’t define it. Sure, there were true music fans among them; and it was presumably they, from whom the future booners branched off. The catalyst for this diversion, was surely the emergence of thrash metal in the early 80s; and apparently they were initially branded “rock apes” (according to “Granny”). The origin of “booner” – an absolutely exquisite descriptive term, btw – is unknown to this writer. But what is almost certain, is that it emerged somewhere northwest of Black Mountain; and quite likely at my alma mater, “The Big G”, Ginninderra High.

Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax… the aesthetic (and sound) of these bands was quite street-level, compared to that of their leather and/or spandex-clad contemporaries; basically, booners just wore what their heroes wore: tight black jeans, black band merch t-shirt, flanny, long hair (mullets became increasingly uncommon though), goatee beard (if able). The patched denim jacket was the ultimate tribute to these bands; but was more an 80s “golden age” garment. The emergence of grunge in the 90s brought peak booner, but kind of killed the denim jacket, which was more Guns n’ Roses (i.e. borderline bogan) than it was Alice In Chains.

With most of the seminal bands either deteriorating in quality, deviating from the genre (looking at you, Metallica) or completely disintegrating by the end of the decade – and with the rise of nu metal, Warped Tour punk, and a thousand sub-genres of excessively-heavy metal – booners had to either diversify, or stagnate and perish.

Where did they go? They just became adults, got jobs, haircuts, broader taste, and some colour in their wardrobes. Or in some rare cases, actually became semi-successful in music, with some still living the hairy, black-clad dream. And they’re even old enough to get tattoos now.
Where are Alchemist these days? Or the dude that worked at Impact Records? There may lie the answer.

Did they just become bogans? Only those that were already bogans – those that were really into their ciggies, goon-bags and (helmet-free) trail bikes. I know one that became a cowboy (he once got a birthday cake adorned with the Metallica logo; 2 years later he was tucking-in his flanny and listening to Garth Brooks).

I would argue that the most direct descendants though – those that most closely filled the sociological niche – were actually goths and emos. Basically angsty booners, with poorer taste.

Mate booner is the word, the word that you heard it’s got groove, it’s got motion.
Booner and Bogan are exactly the same thing, like you said in Sydney they called em westies and bogans not sure about Melbourne. But booner got it’s fame and started to overrun the booner fame when it was admitted to the dictionary.
I would love to know when, where, how and why it was coined. Such a great word. That photo up the top looks like it could have been taken at my high school ‘The Big G’, if you don’t know what that is then I understand why you don’t know what a booner is.
Even had a song for the good old booner, sung to the Technotronic’s ‘This beat is technotronic’
This car is, this car is, this car is booner tronic, get a holden, mags on it.
Look forward to responses.

#Bogan got it’s fame

Sorry Drifter but gooner is already in use; Arsenal football fans.

I think I too must cast my plural as well, being: A Gooner of Booners.

there is a new era of booners not as many as the 80’s and 90’s but there still are some

Well not on a week night. Interestingly an old school pal of mine is a drummer in ‘Alchemist’ a heavy metal band which has been around for the past decade. Good to see metal isn’t completely dead.

farnarkler said :

As to what happened to us? We grew up and now have mortgages and 2.5 children. We still like getting the old CDs (we had tapes in the good old days) out and cranking it (this one goes to 11).

GO HARD SON!!!

As to what happened to us? We grew up and now have mortgages and 2.5 children. We still like getting the old CDs (we had tapes in the good old days) out and cranking it (this one goes to 11).

I don’t recall the term booners being used that much around Canberra in the 80’s. I lived in Belco, went to school in Dickson (yes, Dara) and was a regular at the woden ice rink on Friday nights so I knew people from all areas. We had the full on headbangers with the obligatory denim jacket with backpatch and then we had the ones who were into George Thorogood and would only drink JD. I guess they must’ve been the booners then.

Ahh the memories of pot black on a friday night. Hang out at the mall, then up to pot black, then a sprint down to the interchange to get the 9:18 400 bus. Fun days.

We called them rockapes at the Big G or was that something different?

Wow, I’ve discovered a pocket of surviors at my local ‘european’ club on the southside. We actually have three drinkers there with pretty distinctive mullets. One even has a goatee and wears small footy shorts. Legends!

Just dug out this email forward from 6 years ago.

“Save the Booner” (maximumus tightblackjeanus withmulletus)

First identified as a sub-species during the mid-70s, the Booner is thought to be a close relation of the Bogan (found in Melbourne’s Western suburbs) and the Westie (spread throughout Western Sydney). It is believed the initial Canberra population was introduced to purpose-built habitats such as Charnwood and Weston Creek. However, by the mid-80s, the species had multiplied to plague proportions, spreading through much of Tuggeranong and outer-Belconnen.

While authorities considered a culling program, they need not have bothered, as the regional population began a rapid decline from the early ’90s onwards. The situation has now reached a critical point, with Booners rarely sighted in Central Canberra, and those remaining clinging to the region’s outskirts. In the year 2002, the species is now officially endangered.

Identifying a Booner is not difficult. Males sport a distinctive hair growth called a “mullet” (short front and sides, long at back). Some scientists believe the growth is genetic, while others argue it is a product of nurture, as even extremely young males seem coerced by parents to adopt the growth. Other distinguishing male characteristics include a tight black denim covering on the hindlimbs and bright flannelette markings on the forepaws and belly. Males adopt a dominant status within the community, with a vague sense of rank defined by the ownership of aging Ford and Holden motor vehicles.

Female Booners are entrusted with the raising of multiple offspring, a role they perform from a young age and often without the presence of the male. They may be similarly identified through distinctive denim markings, though the color is usually “stonewash”. In warmer weather, females have been known to shed the lower layer of demin to just below the genital area, resulting in a “cut-off” effect. Both males and females have been known to cover their lower hind-limbs with furry pouches called “ugh-boots.”

While the wild population of Booners is dwindling, it is still possible to view them in their natural environment. The species has been known to congregate around regional “shopping malls”, where family units often come to settle domestic issues using high-pitched wailing sounds. After sunset, younger males and females meet in small dark enclaves known as “Taverns” where they consume large amounts of a liquid called “Bourbon.”

There are numerous factors attributed to the decline of the local Booner population. Scientists have identified the unpopularity of stadium rock as a contributing cause, while the development of adequate social infrastructure (ie. schools, medium density housing) may have fragmented the species. More controversial theories suggest many booners may have removed their mullets, purchased “cargo pants” and attempted to integrate themselves in Canberra’s mainstream population, but these claims are yet to be substantiated.

At present there seems little hope of restoring the Booner population to its previous levels. Recent attempts included the development of a new artificial habitat named “Gungahlin”, but is seems this area may be too close to Central Canberra to attract large numbers of the species.

More successful is an enclosed breeding program called “Summernats”, which takes place annually at the National Exhibition complex in Watson. The program has proven highly effective, combining motor vehicles and bourbon with rampant displays of female sexuality. Authorities recently introduced a V8 Supercar race with similar results, and have attracted Booner elders AC/DC for a brief visit early next year.

Yes yes yes Growling Ferret

And if my memory serves me correctly, there used to be a permanent cloud of smoke over the “landscape” down near the tennis courts, until they took it away!

And the very thoughtful catchcry:

… Sex, drugs and rock n roll,
Weston Creeks a f**kin hole …

I would have to cast my plural:

A Torana of booners

Growling Ferret8:18 am 28 Nov 08

Whats the old joke about the difference between a booners summer outfit and winter outfit? In summer, the flanny is tied around teh waist. That was around long before Chris Franklin…

Being a good Weston Creek lad, booners were the the tight black jeans, the desert boots (aka pussie boots), the Megadeth t-shirt and the Winnie Blues.

They owned ‘Off-Line’ with Rob Horsfield (H) at Weston Creek High, and the only time they seemed to be in any sort of scuffle was when a ‘leb’ (and we had a couple of them), needed their ass kicked. Fights occurred in the park at Stirling across Namatjira Drive… Those were the days!

I defy classification. Flannies are a practical warm outer layer. If that’s over lycra, so be it.

I-filed – I am Charny born and bred.

GottaLoveCanberra7:44 pm 27 Nov 08

I would just like to clarify that not all of us metalheads are booners/bogans.

Thank you. ^_^

Felix the Cat7:27 pm 27 Nov 08

I used to be a Booner, also playing “pinnies” at Pot Black in the late eighties/early nineties. I guess as time went on I eventually grew out of it.

I think Bogans are a slightly different breed to Booners. Booners were for the most part harmless but Bogans seem to be more violent. Maybe this is just a reflection of society in general today though.

Disposable, desert boots, denim and a mullet must be a local variant. It was desert boots and californians (black or bone) in inner Canberra. The socio-economic distinctions were in the jeans label. Amco if you were poor, Levis were acceptable, and Lee jeans were quite seriously a status symbol! Don’t anyone think ‘label status’ is a recent phenomenon!
Black californians were the very beginnings of goth and emo.

miz said :

There used to be an online dictionary of Canberra-isms, eg booner, but also govie, ‘the Hill’, ‘pov shovel’ (bus), bugs bunny (the American memorial), Belco/Tuggers abbreviations etc. Does any one know the URL? I can’t find it.

I’d be interested also. Not being brought up in Canberra, I am totally ignorant of the “booner” term. Where did it come from, the etiology (sp?) of the word? Growing up in Sydney and Regional NSW (not QBN) all I knew was westie. Booner seems to be a typically Canberra term, AFAIK.

There used to be an online dictionary of Canberra-isms, eg booner, but also govie, ‘the Hill’, ‘pov shovel’ (bus), bugs bunny (the American memorial), Belco/Tuggers abbreviations etc. Does any one know the URL? I can’t find it.

If you want some The Way We Were moments, the ACT Heritage Libray, Image Library is hard to beat as an online resource.

Photos of and about Canberra; it is an eclectic collection

Disposable said :

This is a great thread! Are there any more pics of old school Booners out there?

Have a look on facebook – plenty of old booners seem to be keen to post scanned copies of highschool pics. Try and find a group for the class of ’86 or ’87 from your local high school and you’re bound to find some gems.

I believe that the booners in the above picture are inspecting an ear piercing performed out on Deakin High’s oval.

Raiders Lime flavoured milk

Ahhhhhh I remember drinking green milk back in primary school.

This is a great thread! Are there any more pics of old school Booners out there?

Jim Jones said :

What I wanna know is: where did all the skegs go?[/quot

Where I grew up on the North Coast you were either a skeg or a westie, but since coming to the ‘Berra I do actually prefer booner and still use the term.

Booner, Bogan, I’m happy to take whatever tag they wanna throw.

I’m also happy in the knowlege that I exist beyond any stereotype that is thrown at me and think of either title as a term of endearment.

I think it’s un-Australian to look down on someone for being a ‘booner’ or ‘bogan’.

I don’t think there was any type of evolution to tracky wearing and hip-hop culture, I’d rather percieve them as simple ‘white-trash’ or ‘wiggers’ and think that the bogan (or booner) is now an endangered species which is slowly becoming extinct.

Hip-hop culture is doing to the bogan culture what assimilation undertaken by the first settlers did to Indigenous Australia. It’s destroying our myths and legends, AC/DC, Barnesy, Chisel, the Holden Commodore, and replacing it with American culture that none of us can truly identify with. It’s Kambah, not South Central wigger!!!

They are destroying our bogan dreamtime.

I blame video hits, the internet and petrol prices!

To me Booner and Bogan are the same thing – Unfortunately, it seems ‘bogan’ is word we have adopted. Back in the 70’s and 80’s when Canberra was smaller Booner was our term for bogan/bevan/westie – it distinguished us from other cities. I still use the term booner (instead of bogan,etc) not because I am pretentious – I am just too old and stupid to change.

For those interested in boganformation, try the The Uncyclopedia.

neanderthalsis said :

Mr Evil said :

Ever been to Ispwich, QLD? That town really is the bogan and inbred centre of Oztraya – Queanbeyan has nothing on that place!

Ipswich… But you obviously haven’t been there lately. Most of the ferals and bogans have moved to Logan, Beenleigh and Helensvale. Ipswich is now the home to the DINKs and others looking for cheaper housing away from the ridiculous Brisbane market.

Spent four days there in early-October, and it didn’t appear to have changed that much since my last visit in 2004. An hour spent at the Riverlink shopping mall had me convinced that there really is something in the water up there! Plus, just about every mother I saw out and about seemed to be under 20.

At least the rumble of V8s and the squeal of spinning tyres on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night managed to drown out the sound of duelling banjos! 🙂

PreciousLilywhite3:10 pm 27 Nov 08

I believe the King of Booners, is 35 and still lives in his parents castle somewhere in the Woden Highlands. His Kingdom spreads from there, across the hills to Weston Creek and back down south to plains of Tuggers. I call it the Boonuda Triangle.

frontrow said :

One of the booners that went to my high school died at a primary school fete. Now the school has closed and turned into a community centre named in his honour. Does that count as dying in a weird arse kind of way?

Being beaten to death in an underpass is probably up there as a weird arse way of dying.

Reprobate said :

So what suburb is CURRENTLY booner/bogan central in Canberra? Growing up in Narrabundah in the 70 & 80’s (when it was anything but a Prestigous Inner South Address) we knew that Charnwood and Kambah had stolen the title from us, but now even they are reduced to pockets of yobbos… how about Richardson?

Southern Tuggeranong.

It’s pretty dispersed now. Kambah, Kaleen and Kippax would be centres of bogan activity I reckon.

So what suburb is CURRENTLY booner/bogan central in Canberra? Growing up in Narrabundah in the 70 & 80’s (when it was anything but a Prestigous Inner South Address) we knew that Charnwood and Kambah had stolen the title from us, but now even they are reduced to pockets of yobbos… how about Richardson?

dexi said :

“Does anyone know the collective noun for a group of booners?”

4 would be, a Commodore of Booner’s.

I resemble that remark.

“Does anyone know the collective noun for a group of booners?”

4 would be, a Commodore of Booner’s.

neanderthalsis2:22 pm 27 Nov 08

Mr Evil said :

Ever been to Ispwich, QLD? That town really is the bogan and inbred centre of Oztraya – Queanbeyan has nothing on that place!

Born there, went to school there and still own a house there. But I’m proud to say that there is not a bogan bone in my body. (BTW, we used to call them Bevans until Bogan became universally adopted)

Ipswich… But you obviously haven’t been there lately. Most of the ferals and bogans have moved to Logan, Beenleigh and Helensvale. Ipswich is now the home to the DINKs and others looking for cheaper housing away from the ridiculous Brisbane market.

neanderthalsis2:16 pm 27 Nov 08

Devolved perhaps. Or perhaps there is a missing link between Booners and Bogans, something akin to a blue arsed baboon I’m thinking.

Evolved into bogans?

A contradiction, surely?

Hey Feathergirl,

That Kambah High crowd you were talking about were my closest friends, even the guys that went on to become homies. They were some interesting days…

Even though they were diehard booners they were actually very cool people if you knew them well.

Kambah was a real rough place back in those days but those guys looked out for each other and being a Kambooner meant being part of a big family of freaks.

I liked it and I’m still friends with those people now.

I don’t agree with V8’s comment about it being sad that they’ve gone on to earn money etc.

Being a booner doesn’t mean you can’t aspire to better things, regardless of your roots.

You can still be successful and yet remain true to your origins.

Assuming otherwise is snobbery.

One of the booners that went to my high school died at a primary school fete. Now the school has closed and turned into a community centre named in his honour. Does that count as dying in a weird arse kind of way?

I think Booner is a sort of ‘developmental’ stage that many teenagers went through – some grew out of it, some didn’t.

Bogans are born bogans, and they remain bogans until the day they die in some weird arse kind of way e.g. gunned down in shootout with the local Police, drowning after wedging their head in a stormwater manhole while trying to grab a 5c piece out of the drain, stabbed to death by their uncle in an argument about Ford vs Holden, etc.

Ever been to Ispwich, QLD? That town really is the bogan and inbred centre of Oztraya – Queanbeyan has nothing on that place!

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy1:07 pm 27 Nov 08

The real problem is that many booners have risen through the last 15 years of prosperity to a point where the whole ‘bogans with money’ has become really kinda sad and pathetic.

A mullet of booners

PreciousLilywhite12:52 pm 27 Nov 08

Oh sorry, it’s a smack of junkies, isn’t it?

PreciousLilywhite said :

Does anyone know the collective noun for a group of booners?

Scum.

Tonka said :

A flagon of Booners?

That would be a goon of booners. =-)

PreciousLilywhite12:51 pm 27 Nov 08

A smack of booners?

If you can have a murder of crows why not a kicking of booners?

I have to agree with Tonka, I too am proud of my booner roots. Although I don’t think I ever REALLY broke into the booner crowd at Kambah High. I wanted to though. I was thinking maybe that’s the difference between a booner and a bogan for me. A booner is something you aspire to be, or to be proud of, while a bogan is something that you may avoid trying to become and people ridicule you. So to me a “booner” is “cool” and a “bogan” is “not-cool”?? Hmmm…

I remeber at Kambah High there were also bevens/bev boys (short for beverly hills as in 90210). I think they were like the homies, before there were homies… memories…

A flagon of Booners?

A detention?

PreciousLilywhite12:43 pm 27 Nov 08

Oh Peterh, my imagination now leads me to believe that by day, you are a mild mannered reporter but lurking beneath your crispy white shirt and sensible tie is….Sooper Boon. *apply theme music here*. he he he

PreciousLilywhite said :

Does anyone know the collective noun for a group of booners?

um, booners?

PreciousLilywhite12:34 pm 27 Nov 08

Does anyone know the collective noun for a group of booners?

p1 said :

I think perhaps the true answer is a mix. Some have moved to Queenbo (or Charnwood), grown a mullet, and become a bogan. Others wear all white loose fitting eminem branded sports clothing (and puffy Jackets) and are now a kind of Homeboy/wanker hybrid.

what about those of us who left Charnie, travelled to Southside, set up here and wear our flannies and jeans – (not tight fitting anymore, man has to breathe), with our Iron maiden shirts which we can now buy from the kambah village video store (woohoo), on weekends? I wear a suit at work. still shop at target and vinnies, and suit shops when necessary, but it is the mindset, not the clothes or my thinning hair that define me. Still turn up the stereo loud when the wife goes out, ACDC or Iron maiden Live in concert….

I dispute the claim that we are public servants or mechanics. We are in all working environments. We are just pretty good at hiding our boganity from non bogans.

I only found out a couple of years back that my Mum threw out my denim jacket complete with studded collar, Slayer and Metallica shoulder patches and the crowning glory – the Iron Maiden somewhere in time back patch.

I used to play pinnies for 20c at Pot Black in Belco wearing desert boots, denim and a mullet.

I may be a public servant but I’m still a booner.

You can’t take the Kambah out of the boy…

I grew up there when it was booner central and am proud of my roots.

Charnwood? Never heard of ya…

Sadly… our booners have a lot to learn from people in Western Sydney.

I was at a mate’s house in Blacktown and he had a chat to his neighbour over the back fence.

They bloke’s booner drawl was so pronounced I actually couldn’t understand a word of what he said. Not even a single word in five minutes of conversation.

I aksed my mate what had transpired and the neighbour had asked my mate if he wanted a copy of the Angels’ greatest hits which he (the neighbour) had bought that day.

He was apparently telling my mate how good he thought the album was.

I couldn’t even understand one word and was quite stunned. It’s not like I hadn’t heard the booner drawl before.

I had to take my hat (beanie) off to the bloke.

Wow…

There are not even that many emos anymore, at least to my eye. Must have been cleaned up by the Greens.

ahhh, the ethnic cleansing of suburban Canberra…

PreciousLilywhite12:19 pm 27 Nov 08

I have to say that I have the privlidge of still being in contact with some of the lost clusters of booners & skeg tribes (southside).
To generalise: The booners I know have now evolved into Public Servants (helpdesk/bts) or Mechanics – any job where cutting your hair is not important as mullet maintanence is second only in importance to their ability to access beer. They no longer wear flannies (global warming) but still spray their jeans on every morning and enjoy a nice desert boot on the weekends. Funnily enough, as the Slayer and Megadeth T-shirts became threadbare and were no longer suitable for wear, a couple of booners I know have quilted them into wall hangings inn an effort to sustain the glory of their bogan youth.
The skegs I know are deeply creative people who live life to the fullest, have the bodies and livers of 80 year old men but still manage to keep it real.

I always figured that skegs are now just called skaters.

On a good day at Belconnen Mall in 1991 you would see booners, skegs and even some bombers.

Now you just see bogans, skaters and homies. There are not even that many emos anymore, at least to my eye. Must have been cleaned up by the Greens.

AG Canberran – if the economic crisis leads to more booners then that is even better than cheaper petrol, in my book.

JB,if you’d been been to Queanbeyan recently, you wouldn’t have to ask this question…

The big difference is today’s booner is actually a CUB – Cashed Up Bogan. The booner thrived in the times of high unemployment and usually graduated from non-attendance at high school directly into the ranks of the dole bludger. Today’s bogans leave school and (pre a couple of months ago) pretty much walk into 30-50k jobs – while still living at home with Mum and her boyfriend.

So yes the booner has evolved with the fortunes of our society.

I wonder if in today’s current economic climate we may see the rise of the booner again?

Ah man, I wouldn’t classify the skegs as emos. That’s really harsh. I always liked the skegs.

Jim Jones said :

What I wanna know is: where did all the skegs go?

wow havent heard term that in a while.
obviously skegs now fall under the broader umbrella of Emos.

Mrshmellowman11:54 am 27 Nov 08

Oh the days of flannelette shirts, tight jeans, mullets and denim jackets with a back patch of a garish metal band! I am a sentimental old fool who misses the days when you knew who was who in this town simply by their look.

Now everyone seems to be in tracksuits, which back in the day, was the exclusive domain of the sporto’s – those who were associated with some sort of sports program like the AIS or the little brother ACTAS.

I think I will have to reject Victorian linguistic imperialism also!

But will the bogans relate to the booner term? Will they own it? Or will they just stare at me blankly like I should get with the 21st century?

This is the question!
Which one?
Take your pick.

*chuckle*

I don’t mind the generic term bogan. It works well, eg. “Oh the boganity!”

I think perhaps the true answer is a mix. Some have moved to Queenbo (or Charnwood), grown a mullet, and become a bogan. Others wear all white loose fitting eminem branded sports clothing (and puffy Jackets) and are now a kind of Homeboy/wanker hybrid.

It seems to me that while bogans were just the same as booners in the 80s, bogans have somehow managed to evolve and cannibalize other yob groups – as Granny says, boganry evolution. Thus we now have a nationwide group known as bogans, with booners and westies on the periphery.

This upsets me a bit, as much as I can get upset by trifles. Canberrans often lament their lack of character and I think booners provide a good dose of that.

So just like bogans have moved into the 21st century, I would like to see Canberrans be flexible with their definition of booner and refer to anyone that resembles a bogan (or a yob or chigger or westie) by the local term – booner. Reject Victorian linguistic imperialism.

As for skegs, I miss that term too.

I always thought the bevans, booners, bogans, chiggers, etc, etc, were geographic subspecies of the yob.

What I wanna know is: where did all the skegs go?

Wouldn’t you say that the reason for the distinction between bogan and booner is because:

– back in the day, the word that was used was booner
– back in the day, booner’s wore tight black jeans, metal tees, desert boots, had mullets, etc.

– nowadays, the word that is commonly used is bogan
– bogans have different ‘cultural signifiers’ (i.e. wear parliament, often have poorly coloured fauxhawks, etc.)

So it’s not so much as them being different things, it’s that the name and the trappings have changed. The underlying socio-economics are the same, but the flannel shirts have disappeared.

They were called Boons in my day. I wonder if Bogans are basically Boons with more cash? Noisier, out in public more, with more noisy toys, cashed-up and spreading themselves into hitherto boon/bogan-free areas?

I voted for the theory of boganry evolution.

They’re still here but they’re more crafty these days and also have fatter wallets. They can be seen shopping at Parliament and drinking at the Mawson Club. Personally I much prefer the old booners. At least they knew their place.

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