Wednesday 3 June 2009

The etymology of "hoon"

Some of you may have seen the word "hoon" appearing in various blogs and other articles. In case any of you were wondering what it means and how it was derived, I will tell you.

It is, of course, derived from the name of Geoff "Buff" Hoon, one of the most odious of the odious hoons that make up the present (2009) Labour government. But what does it mean, you ask?

It is basically the same word as berk is in Cockney ryhming slang, except that you can call someone a berk, in faux offensive manner, whereas if you call someone a hoon, you really mean it!

If you do not know what berk means, think Berkhampstead (not Berkeley, that is American) Hunt!

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