Author Topic: Barnet  (Read 3617 times)

Linda

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Barnet
« on: September 16, 2010, 06:58:57 PM »
Alan, don't know if this has been requested before but I would like to make a plea for the word barnet.  It's a common word over here for hair .... Barnet Fair - hair!   >:D

mkenuk

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Re: Barnet
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2010, 08:27:58 PM »
When Linda says 'over here', I assume she means 'in UK'. It's one of the better-known examples of Cockney rhyming slang, recognised by, but not necessarily used by, people outside London. Well-known among us Brits perhaps, but is it well-enough known outside UK to justify inclusion in what is essentially an international game? My Concise Oxford gives it with a small 'b' and describes it as 'Brit. informal'. Chambers, perhaps surprisingly, doesn't seem to have it.

technomc

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Re: Barnet
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2010, 08:38:57 PM »
Good old cockney....... ;)

rogue_mother

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Re: Barnet
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2010, 09:15:58 PM »
Well-known among us Brits perhaps, but is it well-enough known outside UK to justify inclusion in what is essentially an international game?

Mike, it doesn't have to be well-enough known outside UK to be included in the game. It just has to be known by enough Brits and included in one or more respectable dictionaries. The only limitation is that it wouldn't be classified as a common word unless it is very well known and/or used around the English-speaking world.
Inside the Beltway, Washington, DC metropolitan area

mkenuk

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Re: Barnet
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2010, 09:22:18 PM »
RM
Yes, on second thoughts I realise I wasn't clear enough. I meant of course, 'common enough to be included as a commonword'. I think it should be allowed, but 'uncommon'.

Alan W

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Re: Barnet
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2010, 06:05:05 PM »
I don't think I'd heard of this one, Linda. It's not a word we use here in Australia, though we do go in for some rhyming slang.

But it's clearly used in Britain. An example I found was in an article from the Observer on 5 November 2000, about convertibles, that talked about "the joy of driving with the breeze in your barnet".

Apparently the word has occasionally shifted its meaning to denote the head. The OED quotes an example of the expression "Use your barnet!"

It certainly qualifies for our list (as a rare word).
Alan Walker
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Linda

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Re: Barnet
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2010, 08:49:13 PM »
Hurrah!  Thanks, Alan!  >:D

mkenuk

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Re: Barnet
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2010, 09:38:28 PM »
A very 'fair' decision, Alan!

Steadyguy

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Re: Barnet
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2010, 04:33:18 PM »
As always, our plates are moving in the right direction!!! ;D
Diem Carpe et Amplexa.
(Roughly translated means 'Don't just seize the day HUG IT!)