To think that the BBC Trust got this wrong?

[jauntynomates]

Couldn't see any other threads on this. Just read this BBC article on the decision by the Editorial Standards Committee to effectively permit the term 'pikey' to be used to mean "cheap or chavvy". The end of the article says that they now advise it only be used with "extreme care and sensitivity". However the defence of the Top Gear episode is nothing to do with it being used sensitively, they are effectively saying that it was just a joke, everyone knows what it means, but in future we'll ask people to be more careful.

Or AIBU?!

I am just genuinely surprised that they defended it as being an accepted term that has evolved. Growing up it meant cheap because it was derogatory about travellers. That is still offensive if it is being used to mean cheap today, there is no evolution!

Its a word that I hadn't come across until well into adulthood (though grew up in Wales, and we have our own slang words there).

But I was surprised too that it's deemed acceptable, albeit with caution.

I could understand it being used in a documentary, for example, or an investigative programme of some sort, as it is being used either by people in real life and it is being documented, or in discussion of such language. Usually this is done to highlight something and the language, along with everything else, is a part of that. Sometimes it may be edited or bleeped if considered unnecessary as part of the programme. To me that would be where "extreme care and sensitivity" applies.

But they said that it was alright to use it in Top Gear - an entertainment show - because everyone knows it means "cheap" or "chavvy". I think it's the defence of its usage in that episode that has really got me.

I'm surprised it's considered okay too, even with caution. It seems like a really derogatory term.

I was really surprised by this decision too - they seemed to miss the point completely.

That's it ItsAllGoingToBeFine, missing the point. This isn't acceptable with any term. I can't imagine the BBC allowing any other racial slurs in programming on the grounds that they think they've evolved to mean something else

I know I'm having a one-sided argument here but it feels like I'm banging my head against a wall trying to grapple with their reasoning!

It's definitely a regional thing, I would find it really offensive, as would the travellers I've met (down south). Surprised by the bbc on this.

Tbh I didn't know it was so offensive to some.

Wonder how many thousands of pounds they burnt though to make this decision?

Since 'chavvy' is an offensive word too, how does using 'pikey' to mean that even work? They're just saying 'don't use this snobbish slur against poor people, use that one instead'.

I was completely floored by the decision. Would they take the same view of some other racial or cultural epithet, or do they have a sliding scale of what's deemed acceptable? Would they equally accept the use of the word "Jew" to describe someone tight with money?

I can only assume that the decision was made by some seriously out of touch bigwigs. Ignorant ones too.

Silver I thought exactly the same, how can you say, "Oh, pikey means chavvy!".

ouryve Indeed, it's just so wrong, I can't believe they're so comfortable with using derogatory racial terms, with their attached stereotypes.

The levels of ignorance are astounding.

Since 'chavvy' is an offensive word too, how does using 'pikey' to mean that even work?

Thats the bit I didn't get - chavvy refers pejoratively to a subset of society. Not nice, but acceptablish. Pikey is a perjorative term for a racially distinct group of people and is therefore racism, and I dont know on what planet the BBC thought this was acceptable in the context it was used in.

I agree. Both pikey and chav are vile, but given the racial connotations of pikey it's particularly beyond the pale.

I agree - "chavvy" is derogatory, and not a nice thing to say about anyone, but absolutely not a term of racial discrimination, hence you wouldn't uphold a formal complaint against a programme which used it.

"Pikey", in this context, is very dodgy, and I think TG were extremely lucky to be let off.

Irish Travellers and Romany Gypsies are the last acceptable targets of discrimination and racial abuse. It doesn't surprise me, unfortunately.

The BBC are simply scrabbling round to think of ways to keep the lucrative but crap TG on the screen.

Appalling.

I had no idea it was a rude word - always used in my hearing to mean bad-mannered. Mind you, now it has been explained to me (not on MN obv, where people tend to add heat rather than light) I think the BBC Trust is wrong. And I can't see how they could think they are right.

I was listening to a discussion about this last night. A Romany man was explaining that it is an offensive term, and it had been shouted at him by a gang who then beat him up. The presenter stated that that was different because it involved violence, but just saying the word was fine

I really have no idea what the BBC are doing here. It's mindbogglingly odd that they can't see that it's offensive even when the people it's aimed at are saying it is.

I was completely shocked by that ruling too. I live in an area where there are a number of official Traveller sites and the children go to the local schools. I have only ever heard the term pikey used as a derogatory term to describe the Travellers - mainly by school children although I will admit to having one adult contact on FB who uses the term on there which always makes me cringe.
Chavvy is the term used around these parts to refer to something cheap - never heard pikey used in that way.

Saskia I am equally and by that, indeed mindboggling.

big Likewise, I live (and grew up) in an area with a relatively high number of official Traveller sites and Traveller issues have been prominent here for decades. I remember passing a local pub as a child and seeing a sign that said "No travellers", being so young and naïve I thought it referred to holiday makers or backpackers, my parents explained to me what it meant and were always adamant that I never take on that attitude. I have clear memories of them having serious words with a neighbour who wanted to oppose the development of a Traveller site, the neighbour thought it would increase local crime rates. This area is culturally and racially very diverse, but the Traveller community often gets excluded from any social integration and celebration, like a pp said it's the last acceptable form of racism. There have been many issues here with retention in schools for Traveller children not because of moving, which used to be more common some years ago, but because of racial bullying

Yet the BBC think that 'pikey' is an acceptable term. Unbelievable. How far would they get permitting the use of other racial slurs?

I was amazed at this.

It's an offensive word; a horrible and unbelievable decision.