skid n. a disreputable or unfashionable young person. Editorial Note: There is some evidence that this term is most common in Canada. Etymological Note: Said to be a contraction of street kid, but there’s little substantiation for this. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Jacuzzi and silhouette are eponyms — that is, they derive from the names of people. An Italian immigrant to California invented the bubbly hot tub called a jacuzzi. And the word silhouette commemorates a penny-pinching treasury secretary who lasted...
The emotional appeal of handwriting and the emotional reveal of animal phrases. Should children be taught cursive writing in school, or is their time better spent studying other things? A handwritten note and a typed one may use the very same words...
There was a British band called ‘The Skids’ in the punk era – which probably either came from a contr. of street kids or was an allusion to ‘skid marks’1979
what about “skid row” – as in the area where poor/homeless people (used to) congregate?
There’s most likely no connection to “skid row.”
Skid Row was a Canadian band, however. Might also be a reference to “skidmarks.”
In my high school near Toronto, somehow the word “skid” became de rigeur to describe all the metalheads in our crew. Also, “dirt kids” was acceptable.
my friend wrote a book called Skids
here is her website containing the Globe and Mail review refered to above:
cathleenwith.blogspot.com