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Original poster

Someone described as ‘a cracking lad’ - interpretation ?

34 replies

HisMiff · 02/10/2024 15:45

when we were first dating - DP would ask my college friends in pub what I was like - they’d say “swot” - so that’s my street cred gone out t’window but it’s TRUE ! I WAS! I worked hard from DAY ONE ! 🤣💪

i asked my DP’s schoolfriend what he was like in school and he described him as “a cracking lad”

How would you interpret this?

For context, the school he went to was rough, working class, dismal academic results and lots of violence

But if he described my DP as ‘cracking’ I would interpret that as a decent, upbeat, positive lad who was neither bullied or a bully - and not disrespectful to teachers.

Anyone agree ?

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ByMerryKoala · 02/10/2024 21:22

Cracking lad - held in high regard.

Clearinguptheclutter · 02/10/2024 21:21

pizzaHeart · 02/10/2024 20:53

I would see it as good company for a joke, smoke and general fun, not a snitch. I wouldn’t imply any academic qualities in this description.

Indeed agree with this. A good person to be around. Might let you copy his homework sometimes. But not necessarily a swot. Or well behaved. But more likely well behaved than badly behaved.

pizzaHeart · 02/10/2024 20:53

I would see it as good company for a joke, smoke and general fun, not a snitch. I wouldn’t imply any academic qualities in this description.

Original poster
HisMiff · 02/10/2024 20:53

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 02/10/2024 20:48

I want to know why you're asking too. Do you doubt this old friend did like him, or has something your husband told you made you think it's unlikely anyone would've called him a cracking lad?

No - just out of interest really.

I was very unpopular in school - no one would’ve called me cracjking in any shape or form

OP posts:
PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 02/10/2024 20:48

I want to know why you're asking too. Do you doubt this old friend did like him, or has something your husband told you made you think it's unlikely anyone would've called him a cracking lad?

Original poster
HisMiff · 02/10/2024 20:47

nadine90 · 02/10/2024 20:39

I agree it’s a very vague and generic thing to say about someone. It just means his friend liked him. What does your dp say he was like?

He says he was well behaved - and I believe him !

msybe if I’d have been at his school he wouldn’t have been so well behaved ! We were both good looking at 14

bike sheds anyone ? 🤣

OP posts:
BunnyLake · 02/10/2024 20:44

Jammedchakra · 02/10/2024 20:20

Why?

Yes why?

I don’t really understand why you need to ask. It’s a common phrase, maybe not used as much nowadays but everyone knows that it’s positive praise.

Northernlass44 · 02/10/2024 20:39

I am from Yorkshire it's a phrase meaning great lad that's it nothing more it just seems that you don't know slang or are to young to have heard this. It's nothing big in fact why even post it . Is it me of lately on here seems yo be very strange questioned being asked.
Swot means like a geek in school liked books etc

nadine90 · 02/10/2024 20:39

I agree it’s a very vague and generic thing to say about someone. It just means his friend liked him. What does your dp say he was like?

EveryOtherNameTaken · 02/10/2024 20:31

It means a great bloke.

Original poster
HisMiff · 02/10/2024 20:30

HeddaGarbled · 02/10/2024 20:28

I don’t think you can infer “not disrespectful to teachers” from that. Boys who play up at school are often popular.

Not sure about the bullying assumptions. Not vicious but wouldn’t have dobbed a bully in, maybe?

It’s too vague to give you much information really.

Fair point

I can’t imagine him having been disrespectful to teachers but can’t rule it out

I think he would be the type to dob a bully in - 100%

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MrsHamlet · 02/10/2024 20:28

I'd use it to describe the boy in my class who is polite, friendly, always moves his very long legs out of my way when I walk past, tries hard, isn't the best but gives his best shot.

In fact, I probably have used that phrase about him.

HeddaGarbled · 02/10/2024 20:28

I don’t think you can infer “not disrespectful to teachers” from that. Boys who play up at school are often popular.

Not sure about the bullying assumptions. Not vicious but wouldn’t have dobbed a bully in, maybe?

It’s too vague to give you much information really.

MaybeImbad · 02/10/2024 20:28

I don’t get this post!

Doesn’t ‘he’s a cracking lad’ just mean that he’s a ‘cracking lad’???

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 02/10/2024 20:26

Decent bloke. I think it's so superficial you couldn't glean much more than that from it - one person really liked your husband when they were at school.

HumphreyCushionintheHouse · 02/10/2024 20:25

The phrase reminds me of how Bryn describes Gavin, in Gavin and Stacy. In other words a great fella.

murasaki · 02/10/2024 20:25

HisMiff · 02/10/2024 20:24

You’re forgetting kebabs on the way home - multiple visible tattoos ? 🤣

Show quote history

🤣🤣

Original poster
HisMiff · 02/10/2024 20:24

murasaki · 02/10/2024 20:23

Whereas I'd think sexist bants, too many pints, and a dodgy geezer. Probably a bit of a recreational drug habit.

It's not a phrase anyone I know would use.

In school, a bit of a nightmare.

Edited

You’re forgetting kebabs on the way home - multiple visible tattoos ? 🤣

OP posts:
Tulip2478 · 02/10/2024 20:23

murasaki · 02/10/2024 20:23

Whereas I'd think sexist bants, too many pints, and a dodgy geezer. Probably a bit of a recreational drug habit.

It's not a phrase anyone I know would use.

In school, a bit of a nightmare.

Edited

Where do you live? We use it I'm North Yorkshire.

murasaki · 02/10/2024 20:23

Whereas I'd think sexist bants, too many pints, and a dodgy geezer. Probably a bit of a recreational drug habit.

It's not a phrase anyone I know would use.

In school, a bit of a nightmare.

Screamingabdabz · 02/10/2024 20:21

Cracking = lovely
Lad = boy or male youth

It’s a compliment.

Original poster
HisMiff · 02/10/2024 20:21

Clearinguptheclutter · 02/10/2024 20:18

He was a great bloke.
suggests popular too, but that’s not a given.

Yes I agree it kinda suggests popular

OP posts:
Jammedchakra · 02/10/2024 20:20

Why?

Clearinguptheclutter · 02/10/2024 20:18

He was a great bloke.
suggests popular too, but that’s not a given.

Original poster
HisMiff · 02/10/2024 20:17

ARichtGoodDram · 02/10/2024 20:08

But if he described my DP as ‘cracking’ I would interpret that as a decent, upbeat, positive lad who was neither bullied or a bully - and not disrespectful to teachers.

In his friend's opinion he was a good guy at school.

I wouldn't infer that he wasn't bullied from that, and I doubt male friends would tell someone's girlfriend if they had been bullied at school.

Yes - fair comment

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