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Eshay (/ˈɛʃeɪ/) is a slang expression associated with an Australian urban youth subculture that originated from Western Sydney in the late 1980s, but has brought into the mainstream since the late 2010s and the 2020s,[1][2]
 | This article possibly contains original research. (March 2021) |
In New Zealand, "hoodrats" are a similar subculture.[3]
The term can refer to individuals within the subculture, or to the subculture itself, and can have various other meanings in different contexts. The word "eshay" apparently derives from the Pig Latin for "sesh" (meaning cannabis smoking session). The term "adlay" (/ˈædleɪ/), Pig Latin for "lad," refers to the same subculture.[4]
Eshays, or lads, are often considered stereotypically hypermasculine and inclined to crime and violence.[5] However, while most eshays are male, a minority of them are female.[6] They may be affiliated with other local youths from a postcode,[7] hang out in groups, use slang derived from Pig Latin,[4] wear sportswear, have mullets and engage in immature and anti-social behaviour. Common fashion items include bumbags and Nike shoes[4] (specifically NikeTNs).[8] Due to the eshay subculture surrounding the shoe, wearers have been banned from some pubs and clubs.[9][10] Eshays often have access to alcohol, electronic cigarettes, illegal drugs, pornography and social media[11] (namely Snapchat and TikTok).[12][13]
Typical hangout areas for eshays include bus stops, shopping centres, pubs,[14] streets and train stations.[15][16]
"Gutter rap" (also known as "lad rap" due to its popularity among eshays) is a form of drill rap. Rappers in this genre include Kerser and Onefour.[17]
Eshays are known to use unique slang words when speaking, many of which derive from Pig Latin.
| Examples of slang words used by eshays[18] | |
|---|---|
| Word | Definition |
| Adlay | A "lad" (an eshay) |
| B(r)ah Lad |
"Bro", "mate", "dude" (a term of endearment, usually for a male) |
| Eetswa | "Sweet", good |
| Gronk | An annoying person |
| Illchay | To chill, to relax Chill out (an expression) |
| Ogday | A "dog" (an unpleasant person) |
| Roll | To rob someone |
| Sesh | A "session" (usually refers to a time when people smoke marijuana) |
| Entays | Slang word referring to Nike TN's |
- Chav/Roadman, a similar term used to describe young delinquents in Britain
- Gopnik, a similar term used to describe young delinquents in Eastern Europe
- Skeet (Newfoundland), a similar term used on the Canadian island of Newfoundland
- Racaille, a similar term used to describe young delinquents in France.
- Hoon
- Lad culture
- Ah beng
- Ned (Scottish)
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