Fat Brenda

[LaughingGravy]

...the unseen woman who works in the cab office on Coronation Street...how on earth, in this 'politically correct' world we find ourselves in, are they getting away with calling her that ??
I'm a plus size myself and it doesn't bother me one bit, but what if Brenda was of ethnic origin, or wore glasses, or had any other quality which could be reduced to a nickname ? People would be up in arms ! Thoughts anybody ?

[Cloverjo]

When I was a student, I shared a house with 4 other women, two of whom were called Jane. We used to refer to them as Big Jane and Little Jane because of the obvious difference in their size. One day, "Big Jane" was in the room when we talked about her with that name. She was very upset and I feel bad about it now. We shouldn't have called her that and so I think it's not ok to call a character Fat Brenda, even though she doesn't exist and there is no actress playing her.

[Marshwarble]

What about Larry Grayson's Slack Alice? There was no actress playing her either. I think of the era of name calling has gone. It's a shame in a way.

[douglas9401]

If people want to get up in arms about something that doesn't exist in a story that isn't true then maybe they need specialist help.

Of course there are many around these parts who'll argue that to death.

[fiction-factory]

I wonder if Fatty Arbuckle chose that name. Presumably Fat Larry (his band sang Zoom) was happy with his name. Fats Waller and Fats Domino- I'm not sure if their names were references to their weight/size.
Times have changed and Fat Brenda does sound wrong (as did White Dee and Black Dee)

[-SharonA-]

I wish they'd cast someone in that role. My nomination would be Lisa Riley. She'd fit in like a glove!!

[Boto]

Get a life! It's not real.

[-SharonA-]

We know that Boto!! So calm down dear.

[jackthehat]

Notwithstanding the fact that she's a fictional character in a soap-opera....
Who's to say that Brenda is actually fat?
It could be an ironic reference to her slimness...

[-Talbot-]

Times have changed and Fat Brenda does sound wrong (as did White Dee and Black Dee)


White Dee and Black Dee are used to differentiate between the two but how many Brenda's work at Street Cars in Corra?

[SIRandyraven]

I will change my name to Brenda and go on a rapid weight gain diet, so i can be offended by this nick name.
I have never really been offended by anything and I feel left out.
Just can't wait to join the "I find that offensive" club.

[hc4361]

I haven't watched Eastenders for years but I'm sure Pat Butcher was called Fat Pat.

When Ken did a very short stint working at Street Cars he did pull them on the 'Fat Brenda' thing.

[viv41]

They did actually just call her Brenda for a short time, maybe after Ken had complained ! It doesn't bother me at all, it's just fiction after all !

[LaughingGravy]

Thanks all. Boto, if you read my question I said that it didn't bother me, I'm referring to all the people with nothing better to do but whinge about nothing.

[Togo]

Fancy calling her that name. What's wrong with fat Eamah.

[elliemay1]

Isn't there a 'fat elvis' referred to , by Big Mo, in Eastenders?

[vulcan42]

Perhaps she was nicknamed after the fat controller in the Thomas the tank engine stories because she controlled the cabs?

[Zacs-Master]

'I'm referring to all the people with nothing better to do but whinge about nothing.'

Erm.....that would be you by virtue of your post then.

[woofgang]

elliemay, "Fat Elvis” refers to a time in Elvis Presley’s life and to the music he made then. I agree its not very kind.
I don’t watch Corrie but I think that maybe the point of having a character called Fat Brenda is to point up how unpleasant a nickname that is?

[douglas9401]

Deep research reveals that Fat Brenda is actually the driver's pet name for Steve MacDonald.

[LaughingGravy]

No Zacs-master !! I wasn't complaining, merely expressing my surprise that the PC brigade hadn't picked up on it, that's all. Good grief, some people just don't read things correctly !