The word "Hoon"
Author
Discussion

StottyZr

Original Poster:

6,860 posts

184 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
Tell me about the word "hoon". Yesterday I noticed Top gear used the term on one of my Facebook updates and this got me thinking. Is it a common term?

It turns out it is not, a quick google shows hoon is a derogatory term used in Australia and New Zealand to describe "anyone who engages in loutish, antisocial behaviour."(I can be used in car context)

So, where did this term originate? And why do Top gear use it(if they don't read PH) scratchchin?

anonymous-user

75 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
I first heard it when Ken Block hopped onto the scene.

CommanderJameson

22,096 posts

247 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
Ther term has unfortunate connotations, for me, and tends to conjure images of sportscars being badly driven on country roads with little care for other road users.

Dirty Frank

598 posts

175 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
CommanderJameson said:
Ther term has unfortunate connotations, for me, and tends to conjure images of sportscars being badly driven on country roads with little care for other road users.
This, they have to have the seat set fully back and only have one hand on the steering wheel at all times - Its in the rules.

Cock Womble 7

29,908 posts

251 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
I prefer "blat".

Pothole

34,367 posts

303 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
Aussie & Kiwi term: Wiki says:

Hoon is a derogatory term used in Australia and New Zealand, to refer to a anyone who engages in loutish, antisocial behaviour. In particular, it is used to refer to one who drives a car or boat in a manner which is anti-social by the standards of contemporary society, that is, fast, noisily and/or dangerously. In New Zealand, the term "boy racer" is also widely used. Another slang term, revhead — derived from "rev", an alternate term for RPM — is sometimes used in place of hoon. However, "revhead" can refer to any car enthusiast, while hoon is always pejorative. "Anti-hoon laws", while they generally concern road vehicles, sometimes also target anti-social behaviour in motor boats.
Hoon activities can include speeding, burnouts, doughnuts or screeching tires. Those commonly identified as being involved in "hooning" or street racing are young, predominantly male although increasingly female drivers in the age range of 17 and 35 years.
Hoon control laws are beginning to be extended to dangerous and annoying hoon behaviour using boats and other vessels, particularly jet skis. The State of Victoria, Australia passed legislation in late 2009 to control hoon activities using recreational vessels.

I first heard it on Home and Away, prolly

Ikemi

8,592 posts

226 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
Cock Womble 7 said:
I prefer "blat".
yes

The term 'hoonigan', as seen on the front of Ken Block's car, makes me cringe.

Famous Graham

26,553 posts

246 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
It's scottish as far as I recall (in the driving context)

Galileo

3,147 posts

239 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
It comes from the name "Oh See-Hoon", the Mayor of Seoul in South Korea. Word has it that he is a fan of Noble sports cars and a very bad driver. (most are)

On his days off he can be found doing 'tunnel runs' with his mates.

106Lad

255 posts

228 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
Ikemi said:
Cock Womble 7 said:
I prefer "blat".
yes

The term 'hoonigan', as seen on the front of Ken Block's car, makes me cringe.

Cock Womble 7

29,908 posts

251 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
106Lad said:
Ikemi said:
Cock Womble 7 said:
I prefer "blat".
yes

The term 'hoonigan', as seen on the front of Ken Block's car, makes me cringe.
Why quote something without adding to it?

bicycleshorts

1,939 posts

182 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
I started using the word when Hamilton was caught in Australia.

How dare he drive like this? Who the hell does he think he is? Michael Schumacher? rolleyes

It seems to accurately describe what most people view 'going for a drive' as, so I go along with it. I also offer perms or drugs to my passengers depending on which car I'm in.

Shaw Tarse

31,820 posts

224 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
Cock Womble 7 said:
106Lad said:
Ikemi said:
Cock Womble 7 said:
I prefer "blat".
yes

The term 'hoonigan', as seen on the front of Ken Block's car, makes me cringe.
Why quote something without adding to it?
He added a blue square.

anonymous-user

75 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
Cock Womble 7 said:
Why quote something without adding to it?
Old fat blokes in Caterhams saying 'Blat' makes me cringe. I could never get used to the term smile

Chris71

21,548 posts

263 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
Galileo said:
It comes from the name "Oh See-Hoon", the Mayor of Seoul in South Korea. Word has it that he is a fan of Noble sports cars and a very bad driver. (most are)

On his days off he can be found doing 'tunnel runs' with his mates.
I so want that to be true.

twazzock

1,930 posts

190 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
It takes its name from Geoff Hoon, who was a prolific joyrider in the nineties, specialising in ragging barried mk2 Fiestas around council estates in the East Midlands.

marcosgt

11,413 posts

197 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
Ken Block's rally performances make me cringe...

He makes Malcolm Wilson look competitive...

It's a shame the WRC is so short of entries that these two trundle around in the top 10 (before crashing usually, to be fair).

M

billzeebub

3,888 posts

220 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
comes from the well known Geoff Hoon..as in a Hoon..slightly leftfield and irreverant, doing something just for the hell of it..without point or objective

Hugo a Gogo

23,421 posts

254 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
I first saw it used in the old aussie cartoons that used to be in SuperBike magazine

edit: Fred Gassit

http://fredgassit.tripod.com/

Zwoelf

25,867 posts

227 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
twazzock said:
It takes its name from Geoff Hoon, who was a prolific joyrider in the nineties, specialising in ragging barried mk2 Fiestas around council estates in the East Midlands.
laugh

Also first heard it courtesy of the legend that is Alf Stewart, in conjunction with the obligatory "flamin'" and latterly from my Kiwi wife and in-laws.