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Original poster

What was your word for geeky/uncool growing up?

135 replies

DuggeesWoggle · 20/09/2019 17:03

Was just about to add to the 'describe your childhood in 3 words' and realised one of the words I would have put probably wouldn't be recognised by lots of people.

Ladgin - no idea of proper spelling. Meant uncool/geeky/embarrassing. I was extremely ladgin growing up - holidays spent going to castles in Wales or on steam trains (thanks Dad) instead of all inclusive in Benidorm like everyone else at school. Happy days Grin.

We were in North Yorkshire, 1980s/90s. What word did you have for this, whereabouts and when? Just wondering how far the ladgin-ness spread?!

I'm 38 and wish there were more opportunities to say ladgin in my day to day life.

OP posts:
DaanSaaf · 20/09/2019 19:41

Ming

EugenesAxe · 20/09/2019 19:45

Hard to remember but I think ‘square’. 1980s.

Bobbindobbin · 20/09/2019 19:46

Gay, Square or Boffin

seeyounexttime · 20/09/2019 19:49

@Belmo Yes we used spoff too (same area), hadn't thought about that in years!

MrsZlatan · 20/09/2019 19:50

Stiff - NW England 1990s

MonstranceClock · 20/09/2019 19:51

Variations of gay really.
Gay, massive gay, queer. And Boff.

Hawkinsfirefly99 · 20/09/2019 19:53

Sad
Goon
Loser

There was also a group at school for those in bottom sets called 'special provision' or 'sp' and it's nick name was the 'spac pac'.

Doubledoubledouble · 20/09/2019 19:54

Square or saddo
East Midlands in the early ‘90s

AravisQueenOfArchenland · 20/09/2019 20:01

Another has just come to me (an obvious one too), "bore bag" (but pronounced bore beg).

Milkstick · 20/09/2019 20:18

@screamingvalenta we used to say skillish, I'm sure (NE England)

BertieBotts · 20/09/2019 20:21

I was always a boffin/boff and it definitely wasn't a compliment. Also everyone at my school thought I was posh for Adobe reason so they used to follow me around saying "rather!"

I had totally forgotten doody but we definitely said that. And sick. "that is well sick". I was never cool enough to call anything sick though :o

Sad is a funny one, I said it to DS1 the other day and he looked at me like I was speaking another language, which made me suddenly realise I hadn't said or heard it in ages.

HerculesTheBercules · 20/09/2019 20:24

Nerd
Geek
Herbert

RezCowgirl · 20/09/2019 20:27

Keener/keeno

Bezalelle · 20/09/2019 20:28

Stig or saddo.

Northwest of England.

highheelsandbobblehats · 20/09/2019 20:30

Boff or Boffin. Mid 90s London.

MargotLovedTom1 · 20/09/2019 20:30

Gloid.

Twospaniels · 20/09/2019 20:31

In the 70’s / 80’s the word was “sharky”

So if you were wearing unfashionable shoes, they were “sharky shoes” etc.

Home counties

inwood · 20/09/2019 20:34

Ned

Original poster
DuggeesWoggle · 20/09/2019 21:28

Gloid Margot?! Where on earth did you grow up? Never heard that one before?!

I hadn't really thought about all the nasty ones that were insults based around being gay or having learning difficulties. What a horrible ignorant lot teens can be, hope this thread hasn't stirred up bad memories for anyone Sad.

OP posts:
hardrainsgonnafall · 20/09/2019 21:31

Spod. Surrey

PavlovaFaith · 20/09/2019 21:33

Sad
Lame
Gay Blush

UrbanMage · 20/09/2019 21:34

Swot.

I was a swot and was secretly proud. I do describe myself as a geek now.

BolloxtoGender · 20/09/2019 21:34

SWOT

VeganVeganVegan · 20/09/2019 21:36

Swot or fridge (34 west wales).

MorrisZapp · 20/09/2019 21:39

For a while we called them Tefals. Inspired by high foreheaded science types on an advert for a deep fat fryer.