12 Everyday Words You Use That Are Actually Racist
4. Hooligan
Football hooligans are always mentioned in the media as destroying the game - but are they referring to mindless thugs who have smashed up a stadium, or for a 19th Century Irish family who loved to have a drink and do a bit of police bashing? Because the word "hooligan" was originally used in 1898 in British newspapers to refer to the Houlihan family who lived in London. The Irish immigrants were then referred to as "hooligans" in pubs and music halls across the British capital. Latterly the term became a stereotype for any drunken Irishman. Although some Irish people are endeared by it, others are offended - and rightly so!
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
Football hooligans are always mentioned in the media as destroying the game - but are they referring to mindless thugs who have smashed up a stadium, or for a 19th Century Irish family who loved to have a drink and do a bit of police bashing? Because the word "hooligan" was originally used in 1898 in British newspapers to refer to the Houlihan family who lived in London. The Irish immigrants were then referred to as "hooligans" in pubs and music halls across the British capital. Latterly the term became a stereotype for any drunken Irishman. Although some Irish people are endeared by it, others are offended - and rightly so!