Hi there people. Thought some might like this link from the Ugly inside about debunking the myth behind 'us' scummers. http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/fb_news.php?storyid=16115 Is the truth behind the term 'Skate' any more interesting? Any further truths would be interesting too.
Pompey Myths debunked on a Southampton website? Yeah, cause that couldn't at all possibly be biased. Article started okay but descended into biased nonsense. Plus, are you saying any teachers that went into school during the recent public union strike are also 'scabs' and 'blacklegs' or whatever?
Guys and Gals getting on for nigh on a year ago we had a great debate going on this board about this very subject........The discussion was a follow on from a long drawn out debate on the old 606. At that time I gave an account in more or less the same words about the nonsense of why Pompey call us scummers. There was some additional information in my report which was added. Trouble is in modern day parlance's the term scum or scummer has become a derogatory term which suites the Pompey minority because of this. I honestly thought that this myth had been dead and buried after that debate and the real meaning of the exchange was well and truly known.....I was obviously wrong. The term Skate on the other hand is less interesting....my understanding is that it used to be a Naval term for time wasters. People that seemed to always be in trouble or people that did not do their job properly.......... Hmm I don't think I will comment further I'm sure there is enough for you to be going along with as it is..........
Oh come PL, we're only pulling your leg. We know that article is as shot through with holes as any other evidence. There are certainly one or two truths there, that are myths debunked but, for example, the ferries went to Pompey simply because it was better for them there. Southampton is better for deep draught vessels of freighter and large cruise ship variety. That's enough for Southampton. Plus the Red Funnel line, of course.
"scummer" is an old RN term for a Merchant Seaman. "skate" is an old forces/naval term for a workshy layabout.
TheSecondStain, those questions I posed weren't aimed at you or anyone else in the forum, but just general questions in relation to the article. Or had the writer of the article being here, would have been addressed to him perhaps.
Oh OK. I thought you were starting to get backed into a corner, and I wanted to let you know there was no animosity here. Blame the fact that we can't hear the words being spoken.
Teachers, tube drivers, miners, dockers ... Anyone who breaks an official union strike is a scab. How you choose to read this term is dependent upon your political leaning. But the simple answer to your questions my Pompey friend is yes. I have always thought the scummer/skate thing was the naval explanation .. and god, it get's boring!
Personally, I've always called Portsmouth fans and people from Portsmouth... Portsmouths It confuses them.
