Yobbos

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A slang term referring to unruly or loutish young men who display aggressive or antisocial behavior in public settings
2. Describing individuals, typically young males, characterized by a boisterous and often disruptive demeanor, often associated with lower social status
3. A colloquial expression for rowdy and disorderly males, frequently noted for their brashness and lack of refinement in social interactions

Etymology: "Yobbos" is simply the plural of "yobbo," so the story is really the story of its parent word. "Yobbo" was formed from "yob," which is "boy" spelled backwards, with the "-o" ending added on top. The result is a piece of playful slang that turns an ordinary word for a young male into a label for a rowdy one. The reversal trick is the heart of it. Backslang, where syllables or letters are swapped or reversed to make words opaque to outsiders, was a common feature of British working-class and criminal speech, and "yob" is one of its best-known survivors. Its "-o" suffix is a familiar British slang pattern, seen in words like "arvo" and "brekkie," that adds a casual, affectionate or derisive tone.

Synonyms: ruffians, louts, thugs

Antonyms: gentlemen, ladies