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Winjew ? and Bark !

JohnT

JohnT

Warstock Boy
Back in the 1960s there was a person in our street who was thought to be of dubious gender - a 'man' with male and female characteristics. My mom said he was a "winjew". I don't know if this spelling is correct, but it matches how she pronounced it.

I have never heard anyone else use this word and I've never found it on record anywhere.

Anyone else heard of it?

Going back in time even further one of my uncles, a very traditional brummie working class man from the Digbeth area, when cursing someone would call them a "F...ing Bark!"

I've always wondered where the word Bark comes from and what it means. I hope I haven't offended by using it here.

Any ideas?
 
i remember hearing the "bark" one. i presumed it was something between a berk and bas**rd if you know what i mean! more towards the latter.
 
I have also heard the term "Bark" used but by only one other person. My thoughts about to term are the same as those posted above by Shera.
 
Most of us are grown-ups (if not adults!) on this site, so I can tell you that the term 'bark' comes from Berkeley (pronounced 'Barkley) Hunt, the famous horse-and-hounds thing in Gloucestershire. I need say no more.

Big Gee
 
Aha! I've always wondered what,why & where that term came from.....it all falls into place now. If my Mom was really really angry (we're going back years & years now).....& I mean vexed, perplexed & most peturbed, she would use the term 'bark'. I wonder if she actually knew that meaning that you've described Big Gee.........eek, I bet she didnt!!
 
Thanks Big Gee I often wondered what my dad mean't when he called me a little bark, I hope he didn't realise what it really mean't.
 
I still hear the word bark or berk used quite often these days. My dad used to refer to a not very nice person as a mare maybe big gee that has the same connection as the Gloucester hunt?. Jean.
 
Oh yes GG Jean, that's another one...a 'mare'....my Mom still uses that one altho not too often. In her books it doesnt seem quite as serious a term of abuse tho as a 'bark'!! You know, I'm sure she's oblivious to all these subtle meanings, I reckon she'd be horrified if she knew!
 
Well 'Dell Boy' used the word 'bark' all the time. He used to say 'it's a bark innit' It was used in our house too, but considered very much a bad swear word. Yes and she's a 'little mare' too. Again Del boy used that when he said 'she's a moody mare'. Perhaps, these words where general then and not Brummie.

Maggs
 
Dolphie glad your mom never thought it a bad swear word but I called my moms horrible bossy boss one at the dinner table as I thought she was bullying mom and didn't I get an earfull off day and sent to my room too. That's why it sticks in my mind. Jean.
 
My dad was a butcher by trade and they had a language of there own.
if they had a awkward customer they would speak to each other in what was called butchers back slang they turned things round woc,gip,do you get the idea?
regards Derek
 
I had a couple of butchers in my close family too Derek & they used to teach us a few words. My Mom still uses it sometimes, bless her.....she can still remember rude words in particular.!!!
 
Thanks BeeGee

Don't know if you are right that 'Bark' comes from the Berkley Hunt, but it sounds plausible and I certainly share the sentiment you imply (by not spelling it out)!

Pity I've drawn a blank with 'Winjew'
 
Know where you,re coming from Dolphie,
and as it happens where you are (pet) spent most of my
hgv driving up in the northeast teesport, ici, and British steel.
regards dereklcg.
 
Where you used to drive Derek....it's about 10 mins away from us pet. A right 'mare' in the morning rush hour mind!!
 
Happy days Dolphie used to stay overnight by asda in,Grangetown, by the new stadium,
as you say it was a bark first thing,i had to Que to get into Ici and BSC first thing,i still liked all along that coast.
Now there,s an area for different dialects and things said different,p---stone was a big one i used to here,a lot Auf-Wiedersehen Pet. Derek
 
Used to hear 'bark' all the time, but as for 'winjew' my Gran used to say such men were 'willdews', I'm sure its a variation of the same thing.
 
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