Hyper-Gyp

Hyper-Gyp also known as Speed-Pyke is a humorous patois mockery of the dialect used amongst travellers in the UK, sometimes offensively known as Pikeys. It has long been used to mock the fast and almost coded dialect they speak.
In general it is any fast-paced, slurring of words which makes them unclear, usually with only a few key-words being decipherable for humorous effect. The tone is often aggressive or accusing, which in itself is a derogatory satire of the British perception of travellers.

Origin
The terms were once synonymous and became more popular after the release of the film Snatch in 2000 when Brad Pitt created and used his own form of Hyper-Gyp for the role of Mickey O'Neill.

Speed-Pyke
Since the rise of Chav culture, there has been a growth in the use of Speed-Pyke. Originally meaning the same as HyperGyp, it can now be considered a mockery of the way in which Chavs communicate, especially if the pace is increased to take on a babbling quality.
Little Britain character Vicky Pollard is said to speak in Speed-Pyke as is the character Lauren Cooper in The Catherine Tate Show.

Depending on the context Speed-Pyke can have an aggressive overtone as originally envisaged, or a foolish and ignorant overtone. These mirror the two main perceptions of Chavs in Britain, being too stupid to know better or delighting in being violent and culturally subversive.
 
< Prev   Next >