PRIME Minister Tony Blair's spin doctors have mounted a novel defence after schoolchildren appeared to boo him on a pre-election visit, explaining they were actually chanting "boom", an arcane term of approval in British youth slang.
As he unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of school in south London, Mr Blair was welcomed by hundreds of pupils loudly applauding - but also, to the embarrassment of aides, an audible minority which seemed to boo.
(snip)
The pupils explained that they were in fact chanting "boom", a slang term roughly equivalent to "hooray" which is popular among young black Britons, of whom the school has a sizeable population.
Headmaster Gary Phillips backed this up, saying: "Different cultures celebrate in different ways".
Other pupils, however, told reporters they had indeed been booing Mr Blair and Education Secretary Ruth Kelly, who had accompanied the premier.
more…
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15098570-1702,00.html
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore