How Not To Be a Boy. Robert Webb

they were all white, all working class and special educational needs hadn’t been invented. They still thought dyslexia was caused by witches.

      4

      Boys Are Brave

      ‘I promised you, Dad, not to do the things you’ve done

      I walk away from trouble when I can

      Now please don’t think I’m weak, I didn’t turn the other cheek,

      And Papa, I sure hope you understand.

      Sometimes you gotta fight when you’re a man.’

      Kenny Rogers, ‘Coward of the County’

      (written by Roger Bowling and Billy Ed Wheeler)

      ‘Soo noi,’ begins Mr Jennings in an accent which reminds me of the times when my heart would sink as I realised the TV show Why Don’t You? would be coming from the Belfast studio, ‘on Monday we asked the quessjen, “What is Phezzecs?” and on Tuesday we asked the quessjen, “What is Biolojay?” and soo . . .’, he pauses meaningfully, ‘what d’yeh thank Am gonna ask ye noi?’