What is a Benny

The term Benny is a common saying you'll hear "Down the Shore" all summer long. If you've never heard of it, locals would classify you as one. So what exactly does it mean... Benny is a derogatory term used by residents of the northern Jersey Shore towns for tourists that visit each summer. The term is predominately used by locals from the beach and nearby towns. The term's use is widely found from Sandy Hook to Long Beach Island. In contrast, the term 'Shoobie' is used by residents of the southern NJ shore, predominately Long Beach Island to Cape May. In Maryland, the term is used as a pejorative slang term to describe anyone of apparent mental slowness, especially by children (derived from the character of the same name, played by Paul Henry in the soap opera Crossroads). In parts of England it is also used to describe a person in a fit of rage or having a tantrum as in "He's having a benny". Other slang uses of "Benny" include a nickname for the drug "Benzedrine", as well as a term referring to an overcoat. So what does it stand for you ask? Locals say that the term stands for the names of the cities along the New Jersey Transit - North Jersey Coast Line: Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, and New York. A further theory to the origin of this word comes from an earlier time. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s many of the resort areas around New York City were restricted. Many ethnic groups were not allowed in these resort areas. Many Jewish families would vacation at the Jersey Shore. The town of Lakewood became a popular resort destination. The local population referred to these visitors as “Bennies” from the very common Jewish name of Benjamin. In later years the term has been used to describe anyone that visits the Jersey Shore. So why do the residents have harsh feelings towards these tourists? Well, we here at Crafty's actually don't dislike the tourists per say, they bring in a lot of revenue that goes towards making the towns better. We don't mind waiting longer to sit down at our favorite resteraunts, or having to park blocks away from our favorite watering holes. What we do mind is the drunk idiot walking around our favorite bar with no shirt on looking to fight anyone in his path. I mean, come on, are you really impressing any girls. And if you are, then we mind those girls coming here too. Some signs you might be a Benny: 1) Asking for directions back to the Parkway 2) Asking for directions to the beach 3) Quickly acquiring a full-body sunburn 4) Crowding the stores and restaurants and generally making life difficult for year-round residents 5) Asking for change for a dollar in quarters and dimes for use on the parkway tolls 6) Having a "farmer's tan" or "t-shirt tan" 7) Getting in the way of surfers or body boarders in the ocean 8) Getting into arguments and sometimes even fights with locals 9) Talking with a distinct New York or North Jersey accent 10) Are known to say, "I own this town." 11) Arriving on Memorial Day and leaving on Labor Day 12) Asking where to find the beer in convenience stores (By law, beer is not sold in convenience stores in NJ, only in liquor stores)

 

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