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A spide is a pejorative stereotype, in Northern Ireland, particularly in Belfast, of a person who has a particular dress code and attitude. Spides are young unemployed male adults.^[1]

There are many negative perceptions associated with the stereotype. These include allegations that they engage in anti-social behaviour. They are also often seen as boy racers, who loiter in car parks and public places playing music loudly from modified cars with up-rated hi-fi's. Many wear Berghaus fleeces, fake jewellery, tracksuits (usually in light colours), white trainers and baseball caps (often fake Burberry or New York Yankees).^[2] Like their English counterparts, they typically listen to Rave or Dance Music. Many also support English Premiership soccer teams and frequently bear their jersey.

The adjective form "spidey" is also common. The much older term "millie" is sometimes used as an equivalent to describe female spides.

Also in the same way chavs hate goths, spides despise hippies. This is due to the fact that their musical tastes are poles apart, hippies preferring "dated" rock music, and they live in different areas thus it is more likely that they are from different social classes.^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Origin of the name 2 References 3 See also 3.1 Other similar stereotypes in other countries 4 External links

The name is thought to have originated in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During this time "tartan gangs" were popular in Belfast. Due to the tartan patterns of their jeans, they gained the nickname "spidermen", later shortened to spide.^[3] Whilst the tartan gangs of the time were closely associated with the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and Ulster Young Militants (UYM), the term spide is applied to youths from both the loyalist and republican communities, and appears to be wholly without sectarian bias. Spides may support the paramilitary organisations of their background, such as the UDA or the Provies.

The term pre-dates "chav" (originally slang from south-east England, now widespread in the UK media) by at least a decade, and while the description is similar it is not identical.

1. ^ Collins
2. ^ Observer
3. ^ BBC

• "Steek"
• "Ned" in Scotland
• "Scanger" in the Republic of Ireland
• Essex girl

• The Spide Generator
• Spide man