Is the word 'Soothmoother' a bad 'un?

[jim-jam]

I'm glad to see that the debate sparked off by the Guizer Jarl (i.e. the Cultural Attaché for Shetland) as to whether the word 'Soothmoother' can be used or not has eventually died down. I would like to take this opportunity to start it up again........

[Njugle]

Good topic!

 

My tuppence worth here, directly is that it is all "in the mouth of the utterer", so to speak. Very similar to words from other nations lik Gringo, or Farang. Not offensive in themselves but can often used as derogatory labels, especially in the ennounciation.

 

The other fantastic point here is that any objections to those from off-isle gaining access to 'da park' etc., is hilarious, given that it's a 'viking' emulation and where did they come from? Papa stour? People have lived here for 4000+ years and the 'vikings' are mere passers-by in that time frame!

 

light the blue touch paper and stand well clear....

[Guest Anonymous]

I have used it a fair bit in my time and never had anyone tell me they were offended. But I agree that it is in the way it is said.

[jz]

I'm one i.e. I came in the sooth-mooth of Lerwick Harbour almost 20 years ago. As has already been said - it depends on how the term is used.

[Guest Anonymous]

I heard its Lerwick dialect not Shetland origionally.

 

It does have a strong 'them and us' feel. I'd prefer 'we' so I think it reinforces attitudes that are not helpful and encourages those attitudes to continue.

 

I can't really agree that there is nothing in a name. Names that contain offence need pretty strong justifications to be used. So there are words that drop out of fashion like c**t and n****r and a good thing too.

[pert]

Perhaps the term "longitudinally challeneged" should become the P.C. version of "soothmoother".

 

The term "soothmoother" is particularly barbed in that it requires a degree of knowledge of both local dialect and geography before the person being called it has a clue what it means. Like any good insult, it can be used as an amusing term of endearment between friends. People who say it and really mean it are just revealing themselves to the rest of the world to be paranoid parochial idiots, and it's entirely their own privilege to do that.

 

The Shetland/Sooth thing is like a microcosm of the Scotland/England thing, where Scots call the English all the c**ts under the sun, but expect to be treated as 'special' when they cross the border.

 

It's the 21st century, hopefully the time of the noble savage has passed.

 

It amuses me when Aberdonians call Shetlanders "sheepshaggers".

 

The world is just a great big onion.

[jim-jam]

Surely its up to the individual to decide whether or not they take offense at a word. Any mainlander (or person from mainland decent or whatever) who posts a comment here protesting against the Soothmoother moniker has obviously not taken it in the 'all good fun and banter' manner in which everyone claims it is meant. You can make a joke about any race, colour or creed you want, but its may not be obvious how much offense is being taken.

 

I do agree however that soothmoother is generally used in a lighthearted way, and that certain people will take umbridge to almost anything.

 

May the debate continue.............

[Guest Anonymous]

it all depends on the content of the word used. For example, someone called a numptie - nice shetland or scottish word. It could be used nicely as 'you silly thing' or it can be used as 'the management are all numpties as in usesless or stuped - of little use'.

 

As with soothmother - just meens a person who came in the south mouth its a mater of fact. or it can be used like 'oh yon lot of not very nice people of little worth'. which i think it as used by the 'numptie' that said the words last year, then tryed to change the meening after the occation.

 

as i say its the way you use it not what u say sometimes.

 

the whole situation could be made very much eaiser if the Up helly aa comittee built a designated Press stand for the press to set up ther cameras etc. - the more press we get up here the better then more 'soothmothers' can see what a wonderfull thing shetland and up helly aa is.

[Guest Anonymous]

With a late nod to Rabbie Burns:

 

Whit a gift twad be for god tae gie us

tae see wirsels as others see wis

 

We should always be wanting to put our best foot forwards. ~ Using the term soothmoother however is akin to putting a foot down our throats.

[goooooooodeeeeeeeen]

Rabbie Burn............anidder soothmoother.

 

No matter how hard you try you will always have a label.

 

If soothmoother get to you get a grip.

[peeriebryan]

Rabbie Burn............anidder soothmoother.

Technically, Rabbie Burns wasn't a Soothmoother. As far as my understanding of the term goes, an individual can only be a Soothmoother if they are a UK mainlander who is in Shetland.

 

A more literal definition is an individual who came to Shetland via Lerwick's South harbour entrance. I don't believe 'the baird' made such an entry.

 

However, the old pilot boat is called 'the Bard' and she has definately used the South entrance, so maybe Shakespeare is a Soothmoother ( i do appologise. I've gone all Richard Whitely again)

[pert]

As far as my understanding of the term goes, an individual can only be a Soothmoother if they are a UK mainlander who is in Shetland.

 

Not neccessarily so, grasshopper. It could be argued that, as it is a parochial expression of xenophobia, the term "soothmoother" could be used to describe anyone that exists beyond the portal of the Sooth Mooth, a strange and frightening world beyond the comprehension of the utterer.

 

On fraggle rock they called it "outer space".

[Distortio]

dere be dragonnes...

[spbear]

dragonnes and argos, and the mythical palace of "Big Asda" 8O

[Pooks]

As far as my limited knowledge takes me I have always been on the understanding that 'Soothmoother' was derived from an explanatory term rather than a derogatory term. e.g. "'Wha's yun?', 'Oh he's a Soothmoother'", rather than "'Bloody Soothmoothers!'".

 

It is a very slim dividing line that many in this ridiculously politically correct world take to the extremes. In my opinion it doesn't matter where you are from, what colour you are or what direction the person faces when you are having sexual relations with them. What matters is that you get pilticks in all walks of life.