General Chat

I'm open to correction, but i think they're called Gollys or Gollies. Might be wrong though.

My Nan made me a golliwog when I was a child, I loved him dearly. Sadly I hav't got him now. I used to collect the labels for the badges and in the seventies you could still send off for them. I've still got a cricket golly badge. Jo.

Can't believe that this thread has existed. Some months ago I mentioned the word 'golliwog' and was called a racist, amonst other things, and now there is no problem. Maybe depends who puts the thread on!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sylvia xxx

Actually Sylvia On your thread so long ago now.. I said the term Golliw** was deemed racist in this country now. And for those black kids that ware called 'W***' when I was growing up.... i'm sure I know why the term was banned ! I've nothing against them being called Gollys, but its the remainder of the word which is unnaceptable nowdays. Elaine x

It's interesting, I think, remembering something that my Grandad used to say, that - if you'll excuse the expression - wog stood for western oriental gentleman. :-) Joy

Joy Whatever it really stood for It was never used in that context....was it? (not saying all black people find the word offensive)....after all we are all different. Elaine x

Western Oriental Gentlemen - when I lived in Singapore one of the politicians made a statement saying that all Singaporeans were W..O..G..s . It was front page on the Straits Times !!

No, it wasn't, unfortunately ... just having a nice reminder of my Grandad there ... going on a sentimental journey I was! Happy Easter Monday. :-) Joy

Interestingly, on ebay when you search Golliwog it comes up with over 100 items for sale, so obviously they do not have a problem with the word and looking at the bids neither do the people who are bidding on the items. We are talking baout something from the past and what is called then why should that not be allowed, if we called it something else we wouldnt perhaps know what we were talking about. As for black dolls, can they still be bought I would hope so, as we need to be politically correct and give all children, whatever their colour achoice of what colout doll they play with surely? I have a black doll and a Golliwog form my childhood and would not part with either them and they are about 35 years old now, and were much played with dolls when I was a child. I guess its another part of our history......................... Jayne

Budgie, maybe you are right. Like many others I grew up too using the word, and how can you forget your youth? Sylvia xxx

They are antiques now Jayne. Best go look for them. Deanna :-0)

Yes they are highly collectible, wish I had knew what had happened to my badge ones, asked my dad but he has no idea, the cloth one is invaluable to me but if I need a few bob, who knows........................ Look all your old Gollies out and perhaps we could have a Golly convention! Anybody, any diea how many Robertsons made over the years,9No, the correct answer is not lots) there's a tough one, but heres hoping............... Jayne

Wendy, Dont tell your husband, just let him think you have had second thoughts about his collections and think they should be kept indoors, as they may get lonely in the shed.............. Some of the badges go for over £50 if there are a rarer one I believe, whod ever have thought that........... Jayne

'Golly its Robertson's!' was the catchphrase I think. I had a whole load of the figurines - they were each playing a musical instrument. Had some badges too and of course a cuddly golly - same as someone else said, red trousers and blue tailcoat with a bow tie! Will have to ask my mum - sure she has got them squirrelled away somewhere. Mum has also got a black dolly that she had when she was young in the 20's - that may be worth a bit by now! Maz. XX

My daughter had a Gollywog when she was small, took it everywhere with her. I think this PC business takes things to far, most coloured people in this country have a sense of humour particulary in the case of people of West Indian origan. Have a guy near me plays cricket in the summer, always getting on to him about his sun block, tell him black can burn too, he usually tells me I look like beetroot, or on occasion a bl--dy reineck, but its all in good fun. He really gets offended when I tell him he cant play cricket for nuts. So much for PC, how does one blow a raspberry on line???????? Len

My auntie bought my two kids one each from Blackpool in september, cant remember how much they were tho, wend xx