Normal for Norfolk: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Pejorative slang term for abnormality}} |
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| ⚫ | '''Normal for Norfolk''' (or '''NFN''') is a [[slang]] term used in some parts of |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} |
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{{Original research|date=May 2021|reason=the article is hardly supported by the original (2003) reference, or by the just-added 2016 reference}} |
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The term comes from |
The term comes from [[medical slang]] created by [[physician|doctors]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Normal for Norfolk: Where did the phrase come from? |last1=Cawley |first1=Laurence |last2=Smith |first2=Jodie |work=BBC News |date=24 April 2016 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-36082307}}</ref> to insult their patients. Utilised by doctors and [[Social Service]]s in [[Norfolk]] and elsewhere to depict patients of lesser intellect, some were moved to record the letters 'NFN' against the personal details of certain [[consumer|client]]s, where they were considered to be a bit strange or had peculiar habits. According to the [[urban myth]], such clients were so common in that area that they were considered normal as far as Norfolk was concerned. |
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The term is considered derogatory because it portrays people from Norfolk as normally being strange, or peculiar with an inference that they are in-bred. The portrayal of people from Norfolk in this light is a common [[stereotype]] in England. |
The term is considered derogatory because it portrays people from Norfolk as normally being strange, or peculiar with an inference that they are in-bred.{{fact|date=December 2021}} The portrayal of people from Norfolk in this light is a common [[stereotype]] in England.{{fact|date=December 2021}} |
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Within Norfolk itself, the phrase may also be known as "Normal for [[Wisbech]]", which is in neighbouring [[Cambridgeshire]]. |
Within Norfolk itself, the phrase may also be known as "Normal for [[Wisbech]]", which is in neighbouring [[Cambridgeshire]]. Most areas of the country have a regional variation of NFN, e.g. in North-West England, NFS (Normal for [[Stoke on Trent|Stoke]]) may be heard. |
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''Normal for Norfolk'', was the title of a BBC series, about farmer Desmond MacCarthy, trying to keep [[Wiveton Hall]], his 17th Century manor house, going. This ran for 2 series, of 4 episodes and 6 episodes respectively, in 2016 and 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Normal for Norfolk |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08ywgml/episodes/guide |website=BBC programmes |publisher=bbc.co.uk |access-date=9 April 2023}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Norfolk]] |
[[Category:Norfolk]] |
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[[Category:medical slang]] |
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Latest revision as of 11:50, 7 November 2024
 | This article possibly contains original research. the article is hardly supported by the original (2003) reference, or by the just-added 2016 reference (May 2021) |
Normal for Norfolk (or NFN) is a slang term used in some parts of England for something that is peculiar, or odd.[1]
The term comes from medical slang created by doctors[2] to insult their patients. Utilised by doctors and Social Services in Norfolk and elsewhere to depict patients of lesser intellect, some were moved to record the letters 'NFN' against the personal details of certain clients, where they were considered to be a bit strange or had peculiar habits. According to the urban myth, such clients were so common in that area that they were considered normal as far as Norfolk was concerned.
The term is considered derogatory because it portrays people from Norfolk as normally being strange, or peculiar with an inference that they are in-bred.[citation needed] The portrayal of people from Norfolk in this light is a common stereotype in England.[citation needed]
Within Norfolk itself, the phrase may also be known as "Normal for Wisbech", which is in neighbouring Cambridgeshire. Most areas of the country have a regional variation of NFN, e.g. in North-West England, NFS (Normal for Stoke) may be heard.
Normal for Norfolk, was the title of a BBC series, about farmer Desmond MacCarthy, trying to keep Wiveton Hall, his 17th Century manor house, going. This ran for 2 series, of 4 episodes and 6 episodes respectively, in 2016 and 2018.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ BBC News: Doctor slang is a dying art, 18 August 2003
- ^ Cawley, Laurence; Smith, Jodie (24 April 2016). "Normal for Norfolk: Where did the phrase come from?". BBC News.
- ^ "Normal for Norfolk". BBC programmes. bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2023.