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Original poster

"All fur coat no knickers" - where in UK or further afield?

252 replies

redwinetalking · 20/09/2023 23:37

I have to admit I love this phrase and can think of several towns, areas and localities where "IMHO" it may have applied.

Obviously not travelled everywhere but what are you "FCNK" places?

OP posts:
RedLollyYellowLorry · 21/09/2023 07:47

StopStartStop · 21/09/2023 06:08

'Red dress and no knickers'. Means you're all show. Applies to women but I can see how it might be extended to towns. My grandparents used the phrase and they were born 1906 and 1909 in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Red anything did mean a prostitute- red light and in some areas they wore red hats

LittleMonks11 · 21/09/2023 07:48

Cornwall. Absolutely stunning but with serious issues of poverty and deprivation, debt, housing issues, unemployment.

CaptainMyCaptain · 21/09/2023 07:49

Time40 · 20/09/2023 23:51

It means a person who looks rich but is actually poor

I've never understood the phrase that way. I think it means someone or something that has a dressy surface, but nothing underneath - so it could actually refer to a place.

That's the way I interpret the phrase too. It usually applies to a person but could apply to a place.

clementinejuiceforxmas · 21/09/2023 07:49

First time I heard it used someone was talking about an orange! To do with it gaging thick peel and not much good stuff inside.

Think it's about style over substance or appearances being deceptive

helpfulperson · 21/09/2023 07:49

Abetterplaice · 20/09/2023 23:53

I've always taken it to mean all show and no substance so it could equally be applied to people and places.

This is how I would use it. In my bit of scotland we certainly use it about places.

ChocolateCakeOverspill · 21/09/2023 07:49

I think Scarborough is the complete opposite of all fur coat and no knickers. It’s a run down seaside town and isn’t trying to be anything else. It’s like Dolly Parton saying this is who I am and you might think I’m tacky but it works for me and I love it.

Richelieu · 21/09/2023 07:49

Well, @redwinetalking, I was born in one of the places on your list, grew up in another, and lived for almost a decade in a third. I definitely wouldn’t agree in the case of the first and second because I know, from having a very close knowledge of the real places, that they’re proper communities with a long and interesting history, and families like mine who go back generations and have jobs and hinterlands.

There might be a case for the third, which interestingly is the only place in the South in my experience.

But it’s all fairly debatable, since to me the phrase is a judgmental one used to refer to specific people, not places.

bryceQ · 21/09/2023 07:50

Not sure how Tynemouth could be described like this... It has the ruins of a 2000 year old priory and some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

CaptainMyCaptain · 21/09/2023 07:54

bryceQ · 21/09/2023 07:50

Not sure how Tynemouth could be described like this... It has the ruins of a 2000 year old priory and some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

I agree. Tynemouth is beautiful. I've only ever visited but I'll bet there is a good community.

bryceQ · 21/09/2023 07:54

There's an amazing community in Tynemouth I grew up there and have ties to the area.

DinnaeFashYersel · 21/09/2023 07:57

Glaswegians say this of people who live in Edinburgh

Edinburgh people say this of those who live in certain parts of the city.

LakeTiticaca · 21/09/2023 08:01

CrapBucket · 20/09/2023 23:44

Are you Miranda’s mum? I have just mentally read your post in what I call Miranda’s mum’s voice

Such fun 😁😁😁

pleasefuckinggodno · 21/09/2023 08:02

Beckenham
Colchester
Guildford

willWillSmithsmith · 21/09/2023 08:03

thinkfast · 21/09/2023 00:14

It's a derogatory term used to describe a person not a place OP. And us southerners are well aware of the phrase and how unpleasant / classist / misogynist it it. It's a pretty old fashioned way for women to punch upwards.

You’re overthinking it. Chill.

BodegaSushi · 21/09/2023 08:04

thinkfast · 21/09/2023 07:42

I've never heard the phrase used to describe a place, but it appears from the thread that it gets used that way. However, I still firmly believe it's a sexist expression - it's drawing a comparison with a woman's appearance and sexual behaviour.

It’s about what’s seen on the outside as opposed to what’s lacking underneath. Knickers are underwear. Nothing to do with sexual behaviour.

Seychal · 21/09/2023 08:05

LittleMonks11 · 21/09/2023 07:48

Cornwall. Absolutely stunning but with serious issues of poverty and deprivation, debt, housing issues, unemployment.

Yes - many people only see the tranquil bits. We drove through an inland town there recently and the deprivation is very clear.

FCANK - Sandbanks

dottiedodah · 21/09/2023 08:07

I always thought it meant someone rather racy!

LakeTiticaca · 21/09/2023 08:08

Fur coat and no knickers means someone who to all intents and purposes lives a charmed life, nice house, good car etc, plenty of money, when in reality they are usually heavily in debt trying to keep up the lifestyle to impress others. It's nothing to do with sexism or misogyny or anything.
It's simply trying to "keep up with the Joneses"

weebarra · 21/09/2023 08:10

I'm Scottish and have never heard it used about a woman! It's what those Weegies say about us through the east.

MyBrownEyedHandsomeBoy · 21/09/2023 08:12

Birmingham

allthehops · 21/09/2023 08:13

I live in Scarborough and it's pretty much all knickers and no fur coat.

This made me LOL

UnfortunateTypo · 21/09/2023 08:13

I’m also going with Cambridge.

Ididivfama · 21/09/2023 08:13

I didn’t get the phrase but now I know what you mean:
san francisco
LA

Ididivfama · 21/09/2023 08:15

Ididivfama · 21/09/2023 08:13

I didn’t get the phrase but now I know what you mean:
san francisco
LA

Because they’re hyped up rich places full of poverty

Cherrylily7 · 21/09/2023 08:18

My grandmother who was from Southampton introduced me to this saying
She had lots of earthy lines for all occasions
I particularly liked
"I've got tights older than you"
I remember later hearing Bet Lynch use this dismissively on Corrie years ago

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