You're right, it's not an insult. It's purely a gypsy/pikey word to say 'mate'. A lot of Chavs now use it, mush.
Exactly this, it was used as mate. Unless you was a stranger and you had done something to piss someone off, then the tone would change to oi mush! Normally just one step from an actually punch up occurring. Never realised Chavs had picked up the term but thinking about it makes sense as it puts it in a social class bracket ie those from poorer backgrounds.
I know it was a popular word in London in the 70's and 80's amongst the working class. I think Delboy uses it more than once in Only Fools and Horses.... Infact its in the theme song "Trevor Francis tracksuits from a mush in shepherds bush"
Its only offensive because when someone says it, it reminds me that there are humans who use that word, and I get offended that I am part of that race of animal known as humans. Its up there with ****ing ******s who say "Spag Bol" or call the thing that powers their home "Leccy".
You must walk round permantly offended then mate. Our leccy went off for a bit last night in the storm btw.
My fence has blown out but it's my neighbours duty to fix it as it's on their left... Problem is it's their sons funeral today (killed himself). I didn't want to disturb them today, so just put a note though the door saying don't worry I'll get someone out to fix it and for them not to worry.
Spag bol... Wtf... what's wrong with that? I might even have spag bol tonight just to piss you off. Unlike Tobes my leccy was fine last night.
Yeah that's why I wondered. They must have just been ****ing idiots then rather then representative of it up there in general, odd though cos it was a lot who said it. Most of them were Yorkshire way iirc.
