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Original poster

Apparently "window lickers" doesn't mean what I thought it meant ...

81 replies

verygreenlawn · 18/02/2009 08:36

... according to Derek Draper it isn't an incredibly offensive term used to describe people with disabilities, it refers to "someone looking in a window like a kid in a candyshop wishing they were inside".

Sorry doesn't fool me - I was at school in the 80s and I know exactly what that expression meant then and what it means now.

OP posts:
fattiemumma · 18/02/2009 12:15

yes of course it means that. don't you remember that famous song by 50 cent

"we're going to the candy shop. i'lllet you lick the window..."

LauriefairycakeeatsCupid · 18/02/2009 12:18

who's 50 cent?

Just to be really clear I work in mental health and I've never heard the term.

harleyd · 18/02/2009 12:18

sorry but pmsl fattiemumma

mayorquimby · 18/02/2009 12:19

"I think in the context of my OP it was clear that I meant he had offered an alternative meaning of the expression"

no your op clearly implied that he was arguing that window-lickers was not a derogatory term at all and only referred to window shoppers. and that he was in some way trying to "fool" you.
when in reality the link you provide clearly shows him accepting that it has a derogatory use, and merely that he was unaware of it and on discovering apologising. as opposed to your op where you claim that according to him it isn't an offensive term at all, and then quote his original understanding of the phrase without his further explanation of being informed of it's derogatory use and apologising.

Original poster
verygreenlawn · 18/02/2009 12:22

Sorry mayorquimby I started reading and then just ... gave up the .... will to ....

OP posts:
thequietone · 18/02/2009 12:22

he's Kate Garroway's DH

mayorquimby · 18/02/2009 12:24

"Sorry mayorquimby I started reading and then just ... gave up the .... will to ...."

feign intelligence further?

Original poster
verygreenlawn · 18/02/2009 12:25
Hmm
OP posts:
BennyAndSwoon · 18/02/2009 12:26

He was a labour spin person (I have sort of followed his career since uni), there was a scandal, he left, he retrained in psychotherapy, he is back in the meeja now, as well as doing the psychotherapy stuff.

mayorquimby · 18/02/2009 12:27

that's a good girl.
you play with your pictures.
pictures are fun.

Original poster
verygreenlawn · 18/02/2009 12:28

Hmm Hmm

OP posts:
mayorquimby · 18/02/2009 12:30

Shock Blush Angry

diedandgonetodevon · 18/02/2009 12:49

Dare I ask what 'Joey' means? I've not heard of that either.
Wouldn't be a word that would slip out in ordinary conversation but I would like to know what it means these days.

Please could someone explain even in the vaguest terms.

AitchTwoOh · 18/02/2009 12:49

he's a total nob, no doubt, and quite reconstructed (witness the kate garraway breastmilk programme). but he's not an idiot, he wouldn't make such an elementary pr mistake unless it was a genuine mistake, iyswim?

and mayorquimby is right, greenlawn, you did completely misrepresent his position.

AitchTwoOh · 18/02/2009 12:50

someone with CP, after joey deacon, who was on Blue Peter in the 70s.

diedandgonetodevon · 18/02/2009 12:52

thanks.. would never have guessed that one

Original poster
verygreenlawn · 18/02/2009 12:53

Then I certainly didn't do so intentionally. Makes me as bad as DD, huh?

OP posts:
AitchTwoOh · 18/02/2009 13:00

jeesus, don't put yourself down, no one's as bad as him. did you see the bfing doc? 'i was jealous of you bfing our daughter, i thought of your breasts as belonging to me'??!! nobboid.

onagar · 18/02/2009 13:17

Never heard the term. If it means window shoppers to some people then it means window shoppers to some people. It's what you mean not what you say.

BennyAndSwoon · 18/02/2009 13:20

I had never heard the term before MN. In either meaning

Iklboo · 18/02/2009 13:22

Most definitely offensive where I'm from

See also 'cornet droppers' (FILs 'favourite' term )

BennyAndSwoon · 18/02/2009 13:30

Iklboo - sorry - I didn't mean to say it isn't offensive, I hope you didn't take it that way. It is vile when used as a term of abuse or derogation.

Just saying that it is not a universally known offensive term

bigmouthstrikesagain · 18/02/2009 13:31

I had no conception of the phrase windowlicker as an insult either - I only knew of it as the title of an aphex twin track (with an amazing/ scary vid).

I would never think to associate the phrase with an insult against anyone with a disability as my mind fortunately does not work that way and i have never had the misfortune to hear it used.

DD is not a fool, whatever he is and he would not bring such a shitstorm on himself deliberately so i am giving him the benefit of the doubt. May have to reconsider my opinion of Aphex twin though.

bigmouthstrikesagain · 18/02/2009 13:33

I thought the term was referring to envy in the context of the AT song btw - as it was all about LA hip hop types showing off!

abbierhodes · 18/02/2009 13:36

I don't know whow DD is, and yes, that is an offensive term where I'm from.
However, Joey isn't used in the same way round here. When I was at school (90s), Joey was interchangeable with 'gopher' meaning someone who did everything you asked them..("What are you carrying his coat for, are you his Joey?")
It definitely wasn't associated with any disability. Of course, I wouldn't use it now I know it can offend, but I think people should be given the benefit of the doubt...slang words are not always given the same meaning by different groups.

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