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Bodgies and widgies

Bodgies and widgies

Originally meaning ‘fake, false, inferior, worthless’, the term ‘bodgie’ was applied in the 1950s to a male youth distinguished by his conformity to certain fashions and behaviours. The ‘widgie’ was his female counterpart. This sketch shows the range of fashions and hairstyles adopted by bodgies and widgies.

A.H. Manning, The bodgie: a study in abnormal psychology, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1958

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How to cite this page: 'Bodgies and widgies', URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/bodgies, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 8-Feb-2011

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