Posted by Jack Gordon on December 09, 2000 at 16:42:56:
In Reply to: Why the Toon Army? posted by Nicholas on November 27, 2000 at 19:24:25:
: Can anyone please tell me why Newcastle United fans call themselves the Toon Army.
: Curiosity has just got the better of me.
In Geordieland the City of Newcastle is referred to as "the toon" - this in English translates as "the town" (it's a local put down on the City status (Newcastle IS a city)) So a native of (say) Ashington would say "Ahm gannin to the toon, tae dee sum shoppin " (translation - "I am going to the Town (meaning Newcastle) to do some shopping") The vernacular "the toon" is accepted and used by both Newcastle residents and the inhabitants of outer Tyneside and Northumberland.But when used in a football context (which comes ahead of Christianity in religious belief in Geordieland), "the toon" equally means Newcastle United FC So in a club or pub up there a gaddgie (chap) might say "wot yer think of the toon las week?" (I,say, how did you think those chaps in black and white performed last Saturday?) his marrer (friend) might answer "ah wudnt watch them buggers if th' torned up in wor back lonnen" meaning "I dont think they have ever been the same since Jackie Milburn retired"
So, "Toon Army" is in similar syntax to "Shankly's Army", "The Tartan Army" etc.
Cheers Jack Gordon (from the Famous town of Luton - Nil)
(Bet you cant you guess where I was born and brought up)