lad

- Lad(s) is a term used to describe a male or males of varying age. Depending on it's grammatical useage, for example when the term is used in it's plural form it may be used refer to group of males from any age group. Whereas when it is used in it's nounal form it is commonly used to refer to a young male. The reasoning for this is that males of a younger age may be too young (less than 10 years old) and males of an older age (25 years and older) may be too old to be referred to as just being a "lad" this is where lad prefixes come into use, for example that old lad or that young lad. The use of these prefixes distinguishes the type of 'lad' which the speaker may be referring to, thus diminishing any ambiguities in the saying. The origions of the creation of the term "lad" are unknown, but it is a word that has been used for centuries in and around the United Kingdom and many of it's old colonies i.e. Australia. The word itself is commonly used in the northern regions of England. It is uncommon to hear the term used in the southern regions. The term "lad" is a very versatile saying and may be used in many ways e.g. casually, seriously, jovially and affectionately. In the correct cirumstances it can be used to convey a range of emotions, for example "Hurry up, Lad" in this case the addition of lad emphasises that the individual that it is being aimed at must make haste, "How are you, Lad" in this case the addition of lad personalises the greeting thus making it more intimate giving the sense of direct affection from one individual to another. Many urban philosophers have taken the word lad and created altogether new terms while keeping the original meaning intact. Putting a new spin on the word, giving it vitality and taking away the belief that the word lad is only used by the older generations, for example; - Ladavon - Ladavooch - Ladula - Laddington - Ladsmith - Laddock - Laddie etc. The word lad has also been binded with suffixes to create terms which refer to those of which a lad(s) may take part in, for example "Laddish behaviour" refering to the generally unsavoury acts of a lad(s), but it is known to refer to any act or acts performed by a lad or set of lads. While the term "Laddish" does contain a suffix it is known to be used in the same sense as the term lad or any other counterparts of the term.