The Origin of the Term 'Rags'

[Ardwick Green Blue]

There is a convoluted story about United being called the Rags involving them not being able to afford proper kits far back in time but I'm not at all convinced by this. I can't recall them being called Rags in the 60s & 70s but maybe in the 80s I can remember them being referred to as the Jam Rags (used tampons in Manchester parlance) & I've always thought that was the start of the Rags nickname.

Am I on my own with this?

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

There is a convoluted story about United being called the Rags involving them not being able to afford proper kits far back in time but I'm not at all convinced by this. I can't recall them being called Rags in the 60s & 70s but maybe in the 80s I can remember them being referred to as the Jam Rags (used tampons in Manchester parlance) & I've always thought that was the start of the Rags nickname.

Am I on my own with this?

Sounds legit.

 

[Hamann Pineapple]

Umbro

 

[Banned Tosspot]

European Cup final kit was made from rags was what I heard.

Umbro made it and the company was owned by City directors.

I may be wrong but they're cunts rather than rags.

 

[Armchair Supporter]

A "Rag" is a slang word for a female sanitary towel, commonly made from old rags before the invention of wings. These Rags turned red (obviously) from menstruation, which is the colour of United.

So when you call them "Rags" , you are calling them used female sanitary products

 

[Bill Walker]

There is a convoluted story about United being called the Rags involving them not being able to afford proper kits far back in time but I'm not at all convinced by this. I can't recall them being called Rags in the 60s & 70s but maybe in the 80s I can remember them being referred to as the Jam Rags (used tampons in Manchester parlance) & I've always thought that was the start of the Rags nickname.

Am I on my own with this?

Yes, Jam rags, thats where it came from.

 

[sir baconface]

You’re most definitely not on your own, OP. I assumed that to be the origin too, even though everyone else denies it. I thought I was alone.

Rags in the sense of tatty kit isn’t even an insult worth the name. Jam rags on the other hand...

Although the term is supposed to date to the 30s, I too NEVER heard it used in the 60s or 70s. And that was despite being an avid utd hater who used to stand on the Kippax.

We’ve had previous threads on this subject where the derivation “jam rags” is contradicted with so-called historical evidence. Even by our writer friend. However I remain highly sceptical.

 

[sir baconface]

A "Rag" is a slang word for a female sanitary towel, commonly made from old rags before the invention of wings. These Rags turned red (obviously) from menstruation, which is the colour of United.

So when you call them "Rags" , you are calling them used female sanitary products

Yup. Exactly this.

 

[Ric]

https://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/threads/rag.145320/page-3#post-2556672

 

[sir baconface]

https://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/threads/rag.145320/page-3#post-2556672

Repeating that doesn’t make it correct, boss.