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 == Irish-American Slang == 

 This probably doesn't need to be added to the article, since the article deals with an Irish subculture and I'm talking about Irish-American culture, but I thought it might be interesting none the less.  I'm an Irish-American (family came over in 1858, fought for the Union in the Civil War, were free to practice Catholicism, etc., etc.) and we, like all ethno-religious groups, have our own little culture with its own peculiar vernacular, phrases, slang and so on.  One of them, similar to ""mook,"" is ""skanger.""  It's different from the Irish version in that it refers to someone who is basically just ""white trash"" (specifically Irish white trash and not WASP) instead of a member of a specific subculture.  However, it's still similar because the avergae skanger over here would be an uneducated, low-class guy whom smokes pot (constantly), listens to hip-hop, is probably on Welfare and/or SSI and all that jazz.  Also, 'skanger' is spelled with a ""k"" in the US. 

 Anyway, I just thought you fellas might find it interesting.  I, personally, am fascinated by how two nigh-identical words describing the same general concept (white trash) seem to have sprung up independently of each other, as I've heard people described as ""skangers"" since I was a kid (I'm 22 now).  Also, I've never heard the word used by WASPS or any other non-Irish; it seems to be a purely Irish-American thing. 

  
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