The Dark Side Of The Bogan
| Pronunciation | /ˈboʊ.ɡən/ (ボウガン) |
|---|---|
| Part of Speech | noun |
| English Definition |
A more critical look acknowledging that bogan can function as a classist, respectable-sounding insult, noting one academic description of it as a sticky sign capable of carrying contempt, affection, identification and disidentification all at once. |
| Japanese Translation |
ボーガンの影の部分 |
| Japanese Explanation |
「ボーガン」という言葉が持ちうる階級差別的な側面を率直に論じ、軽蔑・親しみ・同一化・非同一化を同時に帯びうる、ある研究者の言う「粘着質な記号」としての性格を紹介する。 |
Origin
Part of the Bogue series on kangaeroo.com, an ongoing cultural examination of Australian bogan culture.
Related Words

It would be a mistake to romanticise the phenomenon completely.
“Bogan” can be profoundly classist.
It can function as a respectable-sounding way of insulting:
- poor people;
- people from particular suburbs;
- people with low educational attainment;
- people with particular accents;
- people with particular tastes.
And stereotypes associated with bogan culture can also include:
- misogyny;
- racism;
- homophobia;
- excessive drinking;
- violence;
- anti-intellectualism;
- antisocial behaviour.
But these aren’t inherent characteristics of every person labelled bogan.
That’s precisely why the term is so slippery.
One academic analysis calls “bogan” a “sticky sign” because it can simultaneously attract contempt, affection, identification and disidentification.
