Definitions by Nupe

creatives 

A simple term which means the same as, but avoids having to say, "artists, photographers, sculptors, painters, designers, architects, crafts makers..." etc.

"Creatives can't afford to stay in that part of the city now that the developers are moving in and renovating the old properties."

creatives by Nupe January 6, 2004

downshifters 

People who had a good professional job and (usually) a house which had significantly increased in value - but then they realised that by selling the house and moving to another (usually rural, far cheaper) area of the country, they could 'downshift' their lives and yet still have a small fortune in the bank + less stress, less work, more time with the family, more money.

See also: downshifting.

I know a couple who downshifted from their £2.1m house in London. She was in teaching, he was an accountant. Now they run a great little art gallery during the summer in the wilds of the Derbyshire Peak District, and just make art and teach their kids for most of the year."

downshifters by Nupe January 6, 2004

plastic punk 

The meaning has changed slightly over time:

1970s: An individual or band who took up punk too late after its mid-70s birth, and so simulated the general look of late punk but little of the original ethos. Most 'plastic punks' were fashion-oriented, in it just because it meant they could finally start wearing something non-hippy. A minority had some of the original punk attitude too - but it was directed as violence against other punks and against the teddy-boy revivalist of the time. Often the latter 'plastic punks' caused a lot of the violence at gigs in '78/'79.

1990s onwards: the term is still being used in the USA and UK, to deride "punk" bands who use the music style to spout mainstream liberal 'politically-correct' attitudes.

1970s: "In the incident Joe Strummer, of The Clash had smacked a member of the mob with his guitar, was arrested and released after it had been established that he wasn't pissed. The band were, however, pissed off by this element at their gigs. Yet again, the result of a plastic punk attitude."

1990s, USA: "...forget those impressions of the East Bay as being a politically-correct plastic punk world. The bands featured here are the underground of the underground."

1990s USA: "Perhaps predicting, predating and being too iconoclastic for plastic punk chic, it's unlikely they are going to be on the cover of The Face quite yet."

1990s, England: "Goldsmiths Tavern is only good for a stabbing or a puking plastic punk."

plastic punk by Nupe January 6, 2004

lurking

Term used by/of a newly decloaked lurker on a usenet newsgroup, e-mail mailing-list or web message-board.

"I've been lurking in this group for a month now, and this is my first posting."

lurking by Nupe January 6, 2004

servalan 

Servalan was a lead baddie in the UK sci-fi TV series Blake's Seven. Used by British men of a certain age to refer to a particularly glamourous but cruel & haughty woman.

"Servilan!" (said to a companion, of an action by a glamourous woman that shows her to be heartless and aloof).

servalan by Nupe January 6, 2004

Enoesque 

Music which is similar to the later ambient music of British musician and all-round genius Brian Eno.

"Are Enoesque fripperies all this derivative band capable of?"

Enoesque by Nupe January 6, 2004

charity shop 

British equivalent to the USA's "thrift store".

"The band's clothes look like they were nicked from the local charity shop."

charity shop by Nupe January 6, 2004