British slang question

[londonpenguin]

So, I'm listening to a song called "I Predict a Riot" and it goes:

"Watching the people get lary,
It's not very pretty, I tell thee.
Walking through town is quite scary..."

I don't know if it's 'lary' or 'larry,' but either way, what does it mean? I'm thinking it means drunk, but seeing as the song is called "I Predict a Riot", I suppose it could also mean violent.

 

[SplashMtn]

As far as I know, drunk it is!

 

[diberry]

I think it has different meanings in different places. Around here I think it means something along the lines of awkward and looking for a fight. I thought it was "leary" but don't really know.

 

[Miffy2003]

Now I thought it was lairy and I thought it referred to loud / obnoxious people (who may be drunk)

Interesting question!

 

[londonpenguin]

Loud, obnoxious and drunk, it is! (Or is that just redundant?)

Thanks, all!

 

[AlanUK]

Dictionary definition is....

lairy

adjective UK SLANG

behaving in a loud, excited manner, especially when you are enjoying yourself or drinking alcohol:

- The bar was full of lairy, pint-swilling lads in football shirts.

 

[Miffy2003]

I wasn'tfar off Alan! And I didn't look at the Dictionary, honest!

 

[missj171]

I have the sleeve notes here and its 'lairy'! Such a great song!

Actually the song is a pretty good definition of the word, it doesnt mean an actual huge-scale riot, but the usual unpleasant nastiness of our town centres on a Saturday night! I love the bit about the underdressed girls 'If it wasn't for chip fat they'd be frozen/They're not very sensible!'

 

[Queenie]

It's pronounced "lairy" on the song and around here (the band come from Leeds too.) It means rowdy/loud/looking for a fight. Have you ever walked/ran/drove through a city centre late at night and seen big crowds of young men and women screaming at each other/giggling/walking drunkenly/flashing members of the opposite sex/throwing up in the street? That is people acting lairy.

Oh, and londonpenguin - you have good taste in Music. Kaiser Chiefs are excellent!

 

[ely3857]

All of the above!

Here in Yorkshire it means getting rowdy & behaving in a loud & laddish manner usually after loads of alcohol.



Jodie

 

[londonpenguin]

Thanks, Queenie! I've only recently "discovered" them; they're fab to listen to on the bus in the morning. Kind of gets me pumped for the day ahead.

And AlanUK, I'm starting to believe, based on other of your posts I've read, that you know everything.

 

[Disney_Jedi_Jon]

I must get the Kaiser Chiefs album.

Jon.

 

[daveyoghurt]

The Kaiser Chiefs album is quality - perfect for the summer! Queenie and Jodie - great to see Yorkshire lasses down with the Kaisers - awesome!

 

[Clare D]

I think they are brill too and I love their new chav - esque video.

 

[AlanUK]

And AlanUK, I'm starting to believe, based on other of your posts I've read, that you know everything.

Thank you londonpenguin, although I can assure you that I don't Something that DW likes to remind me of on the odd occassion