Grebbs and grebos

Bev2007 | 20:22 Mon 02nd Apr 2007 | Word Origins

4 Answers

When I was a teenager, if you had a thing for leather jackets and patchouli oil, you were called a grebb or a grebo.
Where does this come from and is it considered a derogatory term?

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Buenchico

I would quote the origin of 'grebo' suggested by Wikipedia but it involves a reference to the word for a person of illegitimate birth, which I think AB would probably delete :-)

So you'll have to read it for yourself:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grebo

Chris

Bev2007

Question Author

Thanks Chris, I did see that on wikipedia but it didnt ring a bell with recollection of the word. I also was under the impression it had been around since the 70s but obviously I'm wrong!

allotment10

think your right bev, in the 70's i used to hang around with a lot of bikers, we had greasy jeans !studded leather jackets (with the studded belts) and stunk of patchouli, and we were called grebo's or grebs, maybe it was 'cause of all the grease from the bikes !!??

Jibergrt

I always thought it was a shortened version of 'greaser boy' - but I could be wrong. Unlikely, but possible :o)

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