Foot in mouth

Last night, I had a shocker, pure and simple. The Hudson softball team were at a pub having a couple of beers after the last game of the season (we lost - match report over). Good times and a really good group of people.

The conversation turned to football and which club various people supported. Being a Newcastle supporter tends to draw more sympathy than anomosity these days - so I had no dramas there. Then someone mentioned Simon supporting Tottenham, "what, the f*&king yids! Why would ya!?!?" I enquired, with all the subtlety of sand paper based toilet paper after a dodgy curry.

Simon is Jewish. Recognisably, happily, proudly Jewish. Yup - nice one Chris.

I couldn't believe what I had just blurted out - I felt horrible!! But Simon (for the record, an Arsenal supporter) took it as what it was, a verbal brain fart! No offence intended - none taken - time for one for the road....

For those back home that don't know what the above is all about, below is an extract from a Tottenham supporters website:

What is the term "Yids" and what has it got to do with Tottenham Hotspur ?

The term Yids derives from the Jewish supportership of THFC. Coming from the language Yiddish, it is a slang term for a Jew. There is a large Jewish population near to the area Spurs play in and they have traditiionally followed Tottenham although now quite a lot support Arsenal too (their chairman and some of their directors are Jewish also).

Having had this thrown at Spurs as a derogatory term, the supporters of the club adopted it as an unofficial nickname and also so that it would not have the same effect if other clubs shouted it in an anti-Semitic manner.

Therefore, Spurs fans chant "Yids" and "Yid Army !" to deflect the racist attacks of other clubs.