Twirlies .. a definition query

[Xenophon PCDGS]

This word occasionally crops up in postings on this website to describe people of a certain age, but some research in idle time comes up with quite a number of possible definitions, one in particular which does not describe the more elderly of us.

How long has the definition that is used on this website been in vogue and where did it originate?

 

[Blindtraveler]

I think its partly born out of NCTS and other time restricted pass users asking bus drivers if they are to early for travel?

 

[mikeg]

Yes, it's because they ask if they're 'too early' ('twirly') when they invade the buses in droves at 0930 - or before only to be told they are too early.

To be honest I've not seen the problem very often living in Nottingham where locally issued passes are valid all the time, however I have seen the 'twlates' going back to Nottinghamshire county council area, as outboundary passes are not valid after 11pm. Usually accompanied by a big grumble about it should be free all the time and how horrible the driver was making them pay. Oh and how they would have had to be a whole half hour to an hour earlier for the last free bus. If they grumble to me, I tell them to count their blessings that they weren't visiting North Yorkshire (where I used to live) - where buses magically disappear shortly after 5pm and you can find yourself with a two hour wait between buses easily.

 

[eastwestdivide]

First heard "twirly" from my (retired) Bradford relatives possibly 10 or so years ago.
They pronounce the Co-op like "cwop" as well.

 

[tony_mac]

With slightly more detail: the question 'Am I too early?' sounds quite like 'I'm a twirly' if said quickly.
My father once claimed to have 'invented' the term in a speech to a local government conference sometime around 1980.

(He claimed lots of things after 8 pints...)

 

[455driver]

Yes, it's because they ask if they're 'too early' ('twirly') when they invade the buses in droves at 0930 - or before only to be told they are too early.

0930?
More likely any time from 0920 onwards, when I was on the buses I used to drive the arse off the bus to make sure I got to the correct stop for 0930.

The ones that annoyed me were the ones that stopped you at 0928 and then try and keep the bus there until 0930, they never got away with it, they paid or got off!

 

[Busaholic]

I'm fairly certain the expression originated in London, which had free bus passes for pensioners long before any national scheme, but which at first restricted their use on weekdays before 09.30. 'Twirly' is a natural elision of words for many of us who grew up in certain parts of London, especially on the eastern side, both north and south of the river. I was accused by my school of having a southeast London accent, which was unsurprising given I lived there! At a guess I'd say the term dates from the 1980s.

 

[DelayRepay]

I remember my dad using this term years ago when he was a bus driver in Rotherham. I don't think passes were free for OAPs then, but I think they could pay a concessionary fare after 9:30. Full fare before 9:30.

 

[Crossover]

Maybe for those in Cheshire, it would be discounted chauffeured limo travel after 09:30

 

[Ploughman]

An alternative that I have heard is to use "Pigs Tail" instead
Why?
Too early - Twirly

 

[backontrack]

Maybe for those in Cheshire, it would be discounted chauffeured limo travel after 09:30

Before then, you'd have to ask your esteemed Member of Parliament to very cordially and philanthropically give you an alternative mode of purveyance by allowing you to be given, in common parlance, a 'lift' in his Rolls-Royce.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Only last week I was told by an old dear at the bus stop that I was "twirly". It was 0920 and I'd reached for my Mcard, which she had mistaken for a concessionary pass*. Now I'm 34 in a week so was rather surprised that she'd made this assumption!

*=I may in fact be eligible for a concessionary pass due to a loss of hypo symptoms which may or may not affect my driving licence renewal. It was a surprise all the same though.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Before then, you'd have to ask your esteemed Member of Parliament to very cordially and philanthropically give you an alternative mode of purveyance by allowing you to be given, in common parlance, a 'lift' in his Rolls-Royce.

Some of us not overly concerned either with our Member of Parliament or the use of the combustion engine are quite content with the barouche and four as a favoured mode of travel....

 

[charley_17/7]

I first recall hearing the term 'twirlies' being used in the late 90's/early 2000's, when living in West Yorksire. Those with a elderly/concession MetroPermit had to wait until 0930 for their 20p bus or train jaunt, whereas us "young 'uns" didn't have such a restriction!

Perhaps it was inspired by this 1980's Derbyshire Council Council advert?

[youtube]zD1w2Txo2CQ[/youtube]

 

[backontrack]

Some of us not overly concerned either with our Member of Parliament or the use of the combustion engine are quite content with the barouche and four as a favoured mode of travel....

Indeed, the pony and trap is a much more civilised mode of conveyance than the motorcar.