Scouse

The message on the banner at the Kop end of Anfield Stadium reads proudly : "WE ARE NOT ENGLISH WE ARE SCOUSE"

Many people beyond the British border are not familiar with the the questions, "What is a scouse?" and "Who are scousers?" According to the Oxford Dictionary a scouse is a person who comes from Liverpool in the North West region of England. "Scouse" can also be referred to the "way of speaking used by people from Liverpool". Therefore the answer to the second question it would naturally mean people who come from Liverpool and speak the scouse dialect.

Now, the inhabitants of Liverpool are often downplayed and criticised by rival cities, especially a city about an hour's drive to the west of Liverpool. This was brought about due to the false negative stereotypes of Liverpudlians from some 1980's TV shows such as "Bread", "Boys from the black stuff" and "Brookside". In such TV series Scousers were depicted as thieves and killers. The scouse community were enforced by the peasent underclass of youths known as "scallys" or "chavs". Such people are generally annoying ruffians who in actual fact can be found in all the other cities and not in Liverpool alone. Some people however are under the delusion that such "scallys" and "chavs" don't exist around them, and that they can only be found in Liverpool! It is most likely such people have never visited Liverpool before.

However, if you ever have a chance to go to Liverpool you will find out that scousers are generally welcoming, fun loving, hardworking and talented people (the Beatles are from Liverpool!) The flame burning during the era of The beatles is still burning bright today. in 2008 Liverpool was declared as the European Capital of Culture with funding from Europe, If you check the crime and unemployment statistics, Liverpool has a higher employment rate and Lower Crime Rates than cities like the likes of Manchester and certain areas of London. I was actually perplexed with such shoking messages written on T-shirts outside the Old Trafford stadium which were targetting scousers.

To me however, i find scousers to be nice, friendly and chatty. They like to take the mickey out of all and sundry. They are as honest and as trustworthy as the day is long! However, the bad one's are quite possibly the most irritating people you'll ever meet, with large chips on their shoulder who whinge a lot and can't be trusted as far as they can be thrown! This is because most people outside of Liverpool will not be able to understand the strong scouse accents.

Generally though, most scousers are usually easy going, up for a laugh, and very welcoming to outsiders, and usually possess a strong wit very similar to that of the Irish and the Geordies. They also love a good party. So what are you waiting for, pack up your bags and come fly over to Liverpool! Believe you me you will definitely enjoy the hospitality, sights and sounds of Liverpool. Nothing beats watching a live game at Anfield!

Scouse also refers to a particular food item which actually originates from some northern European country, but that is another story.