Sheep-shagger (also speltsheepshagger orsheep shagger) is a derogatory term, most often used to refer toWelsh people, implying that the subject has sex withsheep.[1] In acourt case in Wales, the use of the term directed at a Welsh person was ruled to be a "racially aggravating" factor in adisorderly conduct offence.[2] It has been used inSouth Africa to refer to Australians and by Australians and New Zealanders to refer to one another.[3]
The use of the termsheep-shagger to refer to a Welsh person has arisen from the prevalence of sheep andsheep farming in Wales.[1] It is often viewed as offensive in Wales,[citation needed] for the same reason[4][5] as it is inSouth Africa to refer to Australians.[6] In response to complaints over the use of phrase, in an Australian television advertisement forToyota, the New ZealandAdvertising Standards Authority determined the phrase was not viewed as offensive by the majority of New Zealanders.[7][8]
Atfootball matches in England, supporters of Welsh teams as well as Welsh players are often called sheep shaggers infootball chants from opposing fans.[9][10][11] It is also used in Scotland to refer to supporters ofAberdeen.[12] In 2001,Cardiff City signed English playerSpencer Prior and jokingly included acontract clause that he would be obliged "to have a physical liaison with a sheep", in response to their fans being called sheep shaggers.[11]
The name "Sheep Shaggers" has been used for at least two footballfanzines – those forBedford Town and for football inWestern England.[13]
Manic Street Preachers frontmanJames Dean Bradfield routinely dealt with sheep-related heckles from gig audiences (including shouts of "sheep shagger", bleats and stuffed toy sheep thrown onstage) with the stock response ‘Yeah, we shag ‘em, then you eat ‘em!"[14]
InPrestatyn, the phrase was the subject of a 2013court case, after Anthony Taaffe ofBolton,Greater Manchester, when staying at a holiday park inGronant called an off-duty policeman and security staff "a bunch of sheep-shaggers". Taaffe asserted that the phrase was simply "a term for people living in the countryside", but pleaded guilty to racially aggravateddisorderly behaviour and to a second, similar offence, when he called a police officer a "Welsh sheep shagger". He was fined£150.[2][15]
'Their judgment was another setback for Donald. It is official: in New Zealand, the term "sheep shagger" is not offensive. You may speculate just why that might be.'
Aberdeen fans are known as 'sheep shaggers' by fans of southern teams.