Benny (slang)

Benny (slang)
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Benny is a derogatory term used by residents of Jersey Shore towns for tourists that visit each summer.

In England, the term is used as a pejorative slang term to describe anyone of apparent mental slowness, especially by children (derived from the character of the same name, played by Paul Henry in the soap opera Crossroads). In parts of England it is also used to describe a person in a fit of rage or having a tantrum as in "He's having a benny".

Usually only North Jersey shore residents will use the term, "Benny", as South Jersey shore people tend to use the term "Shoobie" because day-trippers would bring their lunches to the beach in shoeboxes.

Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Stereotypical Behavior
3 Areas of Use
4 Sources



[edit] History
Locals say that the term stands for the names of the cities that these seasonal visitors hail from: Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, and New York, although this may be a backronym.

A further theory to the origin of this word comes from an earlier time. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s many of the resort areas around New York City were restricted. Jews (as well as other ethnic groups) were not allowed in these resort areas. Many Jewish families would vacation at the Jersey Shore. The town of Lakewood became a popular resort destination. The local population referred to these visitors as “Bennies” from the very common Jewish name of Benjamin. In later years the term has been used to describe anyone that visits the Jersey Shore.

Shoe Bee's origin also from out of town vacationers who wore their "shoes on the beach."


[edit] Stereotypical Behavior
Asking for directions back to the Parkway
Asking for directions to the beach
Driving carelessly or recklessly, with little regard for local traffic regulations
Boorish, loud conduct in public areas (such as speaking loudly on cell phones and playing loud music)
Going through the exact change lane at the toll bridges - without possessing exact change
Wearing sneakers or socks with sandals on the beach
Wearing no shirt in local restaurants and stores
Quickly acquiring a full-body sunburn
Blocking the driveways of houses on the beach
Littering on the beach
Crowding the stores and restaurants and generally making life difficult for year-round residents.
Asking for change for a dollar in quarters and dimes for use on the parkway tolls.
Having a "farmer's tan" or "t-shirt tan"
Getting in the way of surfers or body boarders in the ocean.
Getting into arguments and sometimes even fights with locals
Talking with a strong/forced New York or North(east) Jersey accent
Walking their dog(s) without a leash
Calling the beach "the shore"
Degrading area shops & restaurants as not being like the ones "back home", yet returning every summer/weekend.
All though looked down upon, they typically tip better than the locals.
Are known to say, "I own this town."
Arriving on Memorial Day and leaving on Labor Day.
Driving 50 MPH in the left lane on the Parkway
Driving 80 MPH in the right lane on the Parkway
Renting Jet ski's or boats at local rental facilities
There are a number of anti-Benny phrases around the shore, with the most popular one being "Benny Go Home!"[1]

There are two songs describing a stereotypical Benny one is titled "I'm A Benny" by Mike Mullane.[2] the other is "Seaside Tony" by 7minds [3]


[edit] Areas of Use
Asbury Park
Avon
Barnegat
Barnegat Light
Bayhead
Bayville
Beach Haven
Beachwood
Belmar
Berkley Township
Brick
Bricktown
Brielle
Chadwick Beach
Chadwick Island
Forked River
Harvey Cedars
Lacey Township
Lavallette
Long Branch
Manahawkin
Manasquan
Mantoloking
Monmouth Beach
Monterey Beach
Normandy Beach
Normandy Shores
North Lavallette
Ocean Beach 1
Ocean Beach 2
Ocean Beach 3
Oceanport
Ortley Beach
Pelican Island
Pine Beach
Point Pleasant Beach
Point Pleasant Borough
Sandy Hook
Sea Bright
Sea Girt
Seaside Heights
Seaside Park
Ship Bottom
Shrewsbury
Silver Beach
South Seaside Park
South Toms River
Spring Lake
Surf City
Toms River
Tuckerton
Waretown
West Long Branch
West Point Island

[edit] Sources