Bogan

/ˈboʊ.ɡən/ noun

Definition

An Australian slang term for a person of the working class, often used to describe someone perceived as uncultured or unsophisticated.

Etymology

Possibly derived from Bogan, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, or from Irish 'bog' (marsh) suggesting rural/poor origins. Became widespread Australian slang by the 1980s-1990s.

Kelly Says

This is a fascinating example of how place names become insults—it's a class marker word that reveals how urban Australians viewed rural/working-class people, and it shows how geography and social status get tangled together in language.

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