Seppoland?

[auld argonian]

I certainly don't want it to get to be any kind of controversial discussion but I just became aware of the use of the word "seppoland" as a name for the good ol' USA in the Get Fuzzy comic strip for today:



Of course it was splurted out by my man, Mac Manc McManx, who keeps finding new and interesting ways to get in and out of the USA in the context of the strip. I have a grey stocking cap very much like Mac's and am hoping to work on my Manchester accent by paying very close attention to Philip Glenister in Life On Mars so that I can audition for the role of Mac when they make the Get Fuzzy movie...my family is getting sick this behavior already and has pointed out that I'll probably loose the role to Philip Glenister so I may as well forget it.

But what, may I ask in my capacity as an amateur etymologist, is the origin of the term "seppoland"? I have to admit that I can't even see any remote possibilities...even the possibility of it being a corruption of "Zeppo" from the famous Marx Brother that lived here from 1901-1979.

Best

AA

[Tobus]

Interesting. I've never heard the term before. A quick Google search showed that it's in the urban dictionary as a slang term for the USA, but doesn't say anything about the history or origin of the name. Surely it has some meaning, but I can't find it.

In the few web references I've seen it on, it seems to be used in a derogatory manner.

[Lyle1]

Apparently there are several related words, all of which are derivatives of "seppo" in the cockney tradition.

seppo =

Derogertory word used by the English and Australians for all American nationals. Derived from Rhyming slang (Septic Tank = Yank)
Will those stupid seppos ever shut up bragging about how much lemonade they can drink?

[MrShoe]

Should have known that it had its origins in some kind of rhyming thing.
Kinda surprised I never heard that one.

[beloitpiper]

Learn something new every day.

[auld argonian]

...and I'm not just faffin' about here!

I got the impression that it was something less than complimentary but I hope that it's used more as a term of endearment (like, sort of in "ya' big palooka") rather than as "mind you, I have nothing against seppo's but I wouldn't want one rooming with my Aunt Agnes."

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[Tony]

As a Brit, I will confirm Lyle's interpretation.

Cockney rhyming slang can get really difficult when only the first word of the rhyme is used.
plates = plates of meat = feet.

When you get into a slang derivative of the rhyme like "seppo" it's really tricky

I don't think Seppo is meant to be really insulting. Just mildly.

[Jack Daw]

Apparently there are several related words, all of which are derivatives of "seppo" in the cockney tradition.

seppo =

Derogertory word used by the English and Australians for all American nationals. Derived from Rhyming slang (Septic Tank = Yank)
Will those stupid seppos ever shut up bragging about how much lemonade they can drink?

That's alright because I can drink more lemonade than any Aussie or Brit.

[ForresterModern]

Wonder if there is a Seppoland Tartan?

[auld argonian]

I don't think Seppo is meant to be really insulting. Just mildly.

No...I didn't think that it was supposed to be a mean spirited insult but that it was one of those terms that just get tossed around as an offhanded, irreverant thing. Trust me...in Chicago we use terms that are waaaay more pejorative amonsgst friends so this is hardly insulting.

Best

AA