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'''Benny''' is a derogatory term used by residents of [[Jersey Shore]] towns for tourists that visit each summer.
In England, the term is used as a pejorative slang term to describe anyone of apparent mental slowness, especially by children (derived from the character of the same name, played by [[Paul_Henry_%28actor%29|Paul Henry]] in the [[soap opera]] ''[[Crossroads_%28TV_series%29|Crossroads]]''). In parts of England it is also used to describe a person in a fit of rage or having a tantrum as in "He's having a benny".
Usually only North Jersey shore residents will use the term, "Benny", as South Jersey shore people tend to refer to visitors as, "Shoe Bees" because day-trippers would bring their lunches to the beach in shoeboxes.
==History==
Locals say that the term stands for the names of the cities that these seasonal visitors hail from: [[Bayonne, New Jersey|'''B'''ayonne]], [[Elizabeth, New Jersey|'''E'''lizabeth]], [[Newark, New Jersey|'''N'''ewark]], and [[New York City|'''N'''ew '''Y'''ork]], although this may be a [[backronym]].
A further theory to the origin of this word comes from an earlier time. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s many of the resort areas around New York City were restricted. Jews (as well as other ethnic groups) were not allowed in these resort areas. Many Jewish families would vacation at the Jersey Shore. The town of Lakewood became a popular resort destination. The local population referred to these visitors as “Bennies” from the very common Jewish name of Benjamin. In later years the term has been used to describe anyone that visits the Jersey Shore.
Shoe Bee's origin also from out of town vacationers who wore their "shoes on the beach."
==Stereotypical Behavior==
*Asking for directions back to the [[Garden State Parkway|Parkway]]
*Asking for directions to the beach
*Driving carelessly or recklessly, with little regard for local traffic regulations
*Boorish, loud conduct in public areas (such as speaking loudly on cell phones and playing loud music)
*Going through the exact change lane at the toll bridges - without possessing exact change
*Wearing sneakers or socks with sandals on the beach
*Wearing no shirt in local restaurants and stores
*Quickly acquiring a full-body sunburn
*Blocking the driveways of houses on the beach
*Littering on the beach
*Crowding the stores and restaurants and generally making life difficult for year-round residents.
*Asking for change for a dollar in quarters and dimes for use on the [[Garden State Parkway|parkway]] tolls.
*Having a "farmer's tan" or "t-shirt tan"
*Getting in the way of [[surfer]]s or [[body boarding|body boarders]] in the ocean.
*Getting into arguments and sometimes even fights with locals
*Talking with a strong/forced New York or North(east) Jersey accent
*Walking their dog(s) without a leash
*Calling the beach "the shore"
*Degrading area shops & restaurants as not being like the ones "back home", yet returning every summer/weekend.
*All though looked down upon, they typically tip better than the locals.
*Are known to say, "I own this town."
*Arriving on [[Memorial Day]] and leaving on [[Labor Day]].
*Driving 50 MPH in the left lane on the Parkway
*Driving 80 MPH in the right lane on the Parkway
*Renting Jet ski's or boats at local rental facilities
There are a number of anti-Benny phrases around the shore, with the most popular one being "Benny Go Home!"[http://www.bennygohome.com]
There is a song describing a stereotypical Benny titled "I'm A Benny" by Mike Mullane.[http://www.myspace.com/mikemullane]
==Areas
*[[Manahawkin, New Jersey|Manahawkin]]
*[[Beach Haven, New Jersey|Beach Haven]]
*[[Ship Bottom, New Jersey|Ship Bottom]]
*[[Surf City, New Jersey|Surf City]]
*[[Harvey Cedars, New Jersey|Harvey Cedars]]
*[[Barnegat, New Jersey|Barnegat]]
*[[Barnegat Light, New Jersey|Barnegat Light]]
*[[Tuckerton, New Jersey|Tuckerton]]
*[[Lavallette, New Jersey|Lavallette]]
*[[Lavallette, New Jersey|West Point Island]]
*[[Waretown, New Jersey|Waretown]]
*[[Toms River, New Jersey|Toms River]]
*[[South Toms River, New Jersey|South Toms River]]
*[[Pine Beach, New Jersey|Pine Beach]]
*[[Bayville, New Jersey|Bayville]]
*[[Forked River, New Jersey|Forked River]]
*[[Berkeley Township, New Jersey|South Seaside Park]]
*[[Berkeley Township, New Jersey|Berkley Township]]
*[[Pelican Island (New Jersey)|Pelican Island]]
*[[Lacey Township, New Jersey|Lacey Township]]
*[[Forked River, New Jersey|Forked River]]
*[[Dover Beaches South, New Jersey|Ortley Beach]]
*[[Dover Beaches North, New Jersey|Normandy Beach]]
*[[Dover Beaches North, New Jersey|Normandy Shores]]
*[[Dover Beaches North, New Jersey|Ocean Beach 1]]
*[[Dover Beaches North, New Jersey|Ocean Beach 2]]
*[[Dover Beaches North, New Jersey|Ocean Beach 3]]
*[[Dover Beaches North, New Jersey|Chadwick Beach]]
*[[Dover Beaches North, New Jersey|Chadwick Island]]
*[[Dover Beaches North, New Jersey|Silver Beach]]
*[[Dover Beaches North, New Jersey|Monterey Beach]]
*[[Dover Beaches North, New Jersey|North Lavallette]]
*[[Mantoloking, New Jersey|Mantoloking]]
*[[Bay Head, New Jersey|Bayhead]]
*[[Brick, New Jersey|Brick]]
*[[Seaside Heights, New Jersey|Seaside Heights]]
*[[Seaside Park, New Jersey|Seaside Park]]
*[[Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey|Point Pleasant Beach]]
*[[Point Pleasant, New Jersey|Point Pleasant Borough]]
*[[Asbury Park, New Jersey|Asbury Park]]
*[[Sea Bright, New Jersey|Sea Bright]]
*[[Spring Lake, New Jersey|Spring Lake]]
*[[Sea Girt, New Jersey|Sea Girt]]
*[[Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey|Avon]]
*[[Belmar, New Jersey|Belmar]]
*[[Oceanport, New Jersey|Oceanport]]
*[[Monmouth Beach, New Jersey|Monmouth Beach]]
*[[Beachwood, New Jersey|Beachwood]]
*[[Manasquan, New Jersey|Manasquan]]
*[[Brielle, New Jersey|Brielle]]
*[[Oceanport, New Jersey|Oceanport]]
*[[Shrewsbury, New Jersey|Shrewsbury]]
*[[Long Branch, New Jersey|Long Branch]]
*[[Bricktown]]
*[[Sandy Hook, New Jersey]]
*[[West Long Branch, New Jersey|West Long Branch]]
==Sources==
*[http://www.bennygohome.com/ Benny Go Home.com]
*[http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/benny_bayonne_elizabeth_newark_new_york_acronym/| Benny (Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, New York acronym?)]
*[http://www.myspace.com/mikemullane Click here to hear the song "I'm A Benny" by Mike Mullane and The Traveling Cunanans.]
[[Category:
[[Category:Pejoratives]]
[[Category:Pejorative terms for people]]
[[Category:Slang]]
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