Harry Flakers
When I was at school, I had to take two buses to travel there. I always met a friend at the second stop, and one day she told me her sister was ‘Harry Preggers.’ I didn’t query what she meant, just noted that she was about to become an aunt. Years later, I wondered why putting ‘Harry’ at the beginning of a phrase was thought necessary. What did it add? Did it mean ‘very?’
I’ve just looked it up. It was ‘upper class’ British slang, originating in the 1930s and 40s from the upper ranks of the Royal Navy, and Oxford University undergraduates, and not much in use currently. During the Second World War it became part of ‘jackspeak,’ about which I have written before. I have also learnt that ‘Harry’ is a ‘meaningless intensifier.’
So, ‘Harry Flakers’ means extremely tired, or ‘flaked out.’ ‘Harry Starkers’ means stark naked, stark meaning ‘completely.’ ‘Harry Flatters’ can mean a flat, calm sea, or driving at maximum speed, or lying down and resting. ‘Harry Hotters’ would be used in a ship’s engine room.
There are other ‘Harry’ expressions, but ‘Harry Flakers’ is the only one we use occasionally, perhaps because we both, separately, grew up in the Medway Towns, (now known as Medway) and were unconsciously influenced by Naval and Military tradition. I don’t recall my parents or my mother-in-law ever using such an expression. (I just asked Barry, and he thinks he picked it up at Sandhurst. Many of his instructors were Second World War veterans.)
It does, however, perfectly describe the total relaxation of a well-exercised dog, or lively toddler.
Thank you for the explanation of what this slang language means. I would have never guessed it right. We Texans use a lot of slang words, but this one is new for me... fun to read about.
ReplyDeleteFun post!
ReplyDelete“Harry Flakers” really does fit that picture of Roxy completely zonked after her walk.
Thanks for breaking down the meaning of “Harry Flakers.”
I’d never have guessed it myself--such an unusual bit of slang!
So it means Roxy is "really flaked out?" Too funny! I would never have guessed that meaning.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard the "Harry" connected with anything, and to me it sounds wrong, but I bet a lot of older Australian sayings would sound wrong in your part of the world. Just don't ask me what sayings because I don't recall any.
ReplyDeleteI would never have guessed... And I love the picture of Roxy sunbathing.
ReplyDeleteHarry , my father's name, and he was....
ReplyDeleteSo interesting silly language. - I am going to use that now.