BS: slang phrase 'the hurry up'

Subject: BS: slang phrase 'the hurry up'
From: weerover
Date: 20 Jan 21 - 06:31 AM

I heard the expression "at the hurry up" several times from an older guy who worked where I did. The context suggested he was a minor "spiv" of sorts around Shawfield dog track (Glasgow) in the 50s/60s and the phrase appeared to refer to something less than legal.

I would like to know how the expression originated and whether my interpretation is more or less correct. I have tried to imagine any possible rhyming slang connection but to no avail: such practice is by no means restricted to Cockneys, and is quite popular in and around Glasgow, with some examples depending on the West of Scotland accent, such as "winners and losers" for "troosers".

Subject: RE: BS: slang phrase 'the hurry up'
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Jan 21 - 06:58 AM

I'm fascinated to learn that even Glasgow has 'rhyming slang' weerover! Lived there for a few years in the seventies but never knew that!
Haven't anything to add about 'the hurry up' though.

Subject: RE: BS: slang phrase 'the hurry up'
From: weerover
Date: 20 Jan 21 - 08:15 AM

I was curious about this many years ago and asked around to no avail in the days before the internet. I hoped improvements in communication these days would help. What prompted it now specifically was that I heard the phrase used on TV by a Cockney character, so it is clearly not confined to Glasgow.

Senoufou, I remember the songwriter Bill Hill saying he thought rhyming slang was confined to London until he moved to Edinburgh, then when he spent some time in Glasgow he realised Cockneys were rank amateurs in the practice.

Subject: RE: BS: slang phrase 'the hurry up'
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Jan 21 - 08:24 AM

I lived in Edinburgh too - went there to University from my West London home, then taught there in a primary school, before moving to Glasgow.
But the school was near Morningside, and the people there were rather 'posh', so I never came across any rhyming slang. (A bit like Miss Jean Brodie, "Ai am in mai praim.")
I love your example of 'winners and losers' for 'troosers'!

Subject: RE: BS: slang phrase 'the hurry up'
From: Raggytash
Date: 20 Jan 21 - 08:24 AM

I seem to recall the "black maria" as also being named the "hurry up wagon"

A possible explanation being hurry up the coppers are coming.

Subject: RE: BS: slang phrase 'the hurry up'
From: weerover
Date: 20 Jan 21 - 08:38 AM

A decent theory, Raggytash, maybe something in it. My own initial speculation, given the greyhound racing connection to which I previously alluded, was that it might have something to do with "dodgy" means of making a dog run faster, but the reference I heard (on the TV show "Minder") would tend to rule this out.

Subject: RE: BS: slang phrase 'the hurry up'
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 20 Jan 21 - 08:47 AM

The "Hurry-up" wagon appears in Terry Pratchett's Diskworld novel "Night Watch", I expect that means that the phrase was used quite widely in the UK police force.

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: slang phrase 'the hurry up'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Jan 21 - 09:15 AM

I guess "paddy wagon" could be a close relative, though "hearse" has also been postulated. Funny that - I never really think of hearses "hurrying up!"