grebo

See also: Grebo

English

Alternative forms

• greebo

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “Possibly a diminutive of "greaser"?”)

Noun

grebo (plural grebos)

1. (slang, UK, predominantly West Midlands) A greaser or biker; a member of any alternative subculture, as opposed to a chav or townie.
   • 1998, "Bill Jillians", alt.journalism.gonzo (Internet newsgroup)

     The highlight of my school days was one day in the mid-70s. There was a sort of glam-rock cult called the Grebos back then who wore smartish Disco clothes […]

   • 2002, Glyn Brown, Baxter Dury: Chip off the old Blockhead (The Independent on Sunday)

     But the realistic side stepped in — y'know, if you're on the point of giving birth, you don't really need a bunch of grebos playing some dodgy old music downstairs.

2. (slang, UK) A member of a United Kingdom subculture of the late 1980s and early 1990s, musically affiliated with garage rock and electronica, typically wearing baggy clothes and hair in high ponytails.
   • 1995, Colin Larkin, The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music:

     ...they were soon pigeonholed under the banner of "grebo rock" […]

   • 2002, Vladimir Bogdanov, Chris Woodstra, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide to Rock

     ...focused on the hyper punk aspect of England's "grebo" movement […]

   • 2003, Peter Buckley, Jonathan Buckley, The Rough Guide to Rock

     This debut album is a glorious grebo-fest.

Anagrams

• Boger, Gober, Grobe