Summary

Novelty Number Plate embossed with the term "Wog Girl" in capitals in white type. Aimed at the female population this number plate was not manufactured for insulting purposes but as a humorous way of reclaiming the term 'wog'. This number plate does not indicate an Australian state and is not authorised for road use.

This number plate show how a racist term 'wog' has been reclaimed in recent times and proudly used to broadcast a non-Anglo Australian ethnic identity. The term 'wog' and its racial underpinnings are thought to derive from the word 'golliwog' in the late 19th century. In Australian English since the 1950s, 'wog' is a slang term directed against people of Southern European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ancestry. More recent stereotypes of 'wogs' suggest that they take great pride in their cars, typically driving turbo, 'hotted up' cars such as V8s. The combining of the word 'wog' with the material artefact of the number plate playfully reinforces the modern stereotype of a 'wog' and is not racist if used by a self-identified 'wog'. It shows how a racist term can be reclaimed and worn with pride.

Physical Description

This Novelty Number Plate is a standard Australian sized black Number Plate embossed with the term "Wog Girl" in capitals, in white type with 'Australia' painted in white type above it. There is also a white border around the edge of the plate and eight round holes for screws to attach the plate to a car, imitating authentic Australian standard number plates. The Number Plate is made from a light weight sliver coloured metal, possibly tin. The reverse side is unpainted and has a batch number printed in blue.

Significance

These Novelty Number Plates show how a racist term 'wog' has been reclaimed in recent times and proudly used to broadcast a non-Anglo Australian ethnic identity. The term 'wog' and its racial underpinnings are thought to derive from the word 'golliwog' in the late 19th century. In Australian English since the 1950s, 'wog' is a slang term directed against people of Southern European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ancestry. More recent stereotypes of 'wogs' suggest that they take great pride in their cars, typically driving turbo, 'hotted up' cars such as V8s. Number plates in Australia can be personalised to display the owner's identity and personality. These novelty number plates are a cheaper alternative and can be displayed anywhere, not just on a vehicle. The combining of the word 'wog' with the material artefact of the number plate playfully reinforces the modern stereotype of a 'wog' and is not racist if used by a self-identified 'wog'. The number plates are examples of how a racist term can be reclaimed and worn with pride.

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