I’m no gambler
18:26 Wednesday 18 Jan 06
From The Guardian, Charles Clarke – the Home Secretary – is quoted:
He told the Times “The thing that worries me most [about the downgrading of cannabis] is confusion among the punters about what the legal status of cannabis is.
The Free Dictionary:
1. Games To lay a bet against the bank, as in roulette.
2. Chiefly British Slang To gamble.
Curious use of a word then – “punters”. Why didn’t he say “the public” or “drug users” or “the electorate”. Why did he use a word that we attach to gambling, to risk. This isn’t about whether people are using drugs, just their knowledge of them. If a parent is seeking information about cannabis and it’s legal status because they think their kids are using it, does that make them a “punter”. No it does not – so why pick that word ? Mr Clarke isn’t a stupid man, I don’t believe it was a slip.
1
I reckon he’s trying to sound ‘in touch with the youth’ or something similar, to use simple language for simple folk. It does just sound wrong tho
19:46 Wednesday 18 Jan 06
2
I’ve heard the same term being used in context with prostitution. That linked article doesn’t have the punter reference, but I recall Newsnight referring to pimps and punters being the new targets for crackdown.
A bit of googling yielded this article where the word punter is used in that way :)
It’s not just for horse racing anymore :)
12:28 Thursday 19 Jan 06
3
punter is just general east end slang for someone who is buying goods. There is an implication that they are a bit dumb too for some reason.
Is the key from the east side of london? That would explain the casual usage. You hear it all the time in essex for example.
00:42 Friday 20 Jan 06