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Raffles, the Gentleman Thug

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Raffles, the Gentleman Thug is a comic strip featured in the British publication Viz, the central character of which is a 19th-century nobleman given to 'immense erudition and wanton violence'. Raffles inhabits the formal world of the Victorian/Edwardian gentleman, but behaves as a 21st-century hooligan, though he always maintains his elegant style. The comic strip parodies British yob culture, placing Raffles in anachronistic modern situations which he usually employs extreme violence to resolve.

Contents

Raffles, the Gentleman Thug Raffles the Gentleman Thug Archives VIZ

Raffles is always accompanied by his loyal friend Bunny (Lord Bunniford) and has other acquaintances such as 'Dave, 6th Earl of Bermondsey' (a notorious section of South East London) and Clarence, 3rd Earl of Burberry (a reference to Burberry, stereotypically the fashion brand of choice for Britain's 'chavs').

Raffles, the Gentleman Thug Let39s stop for a beverage Bunny I39m expectorating plumage VIZ

The character of Raffles draws inspiration from E. W. Hornung's creation, Raffles the Thief.

Gentlemen and Players - Raffles - By E W Hornung - Rare audio recording


Language

The Raffles strip is noted for its substitution of formal language in common slang phrases. For example:

Raffles, the Gentleman Thug Viz Page 5 Bluemoon MCFC The leading Manchester City forum

  • 'Kick the little bastard' becomes 'Lapidate the little illegitimate'
  • 'Tits oot for the lads' (tag line of Viz character Sid the Sexist ) becomes 'Remove your decollétage from its corsetry for the delectation of the gentlemen present'
  • 'Fanny magnet' (when describing his new car) becomes 'Vaginal lodestone'
  • 'You big girl's blouse' becomes 'You sizable ladies chemise'
  • 'Rat's cocks' (a frequent vulgarism used by Viz writers) becomes 'Rodents' penii'
  • 'There's plenty more where that came from' becomes 'There's an elegant plenitude from whenceforth that originated'
  • 'Run like fuck, it's the filth!' becomes 'Run like coitus, it's the putrescence!'
  • 'Fuck my luck' (another frequent vulgarism used by Viz writers) becomes 'Fornicate my fortune'
  • 'Stitch that' becomes 'Embroider that'
  • 'Eat my dust' becomes 'Consume my pulverulence'
  • 'You rude cunt' becomes 'You insolent vagina'
  • Quotes

    Raffles, the Gentleman Thug Viz Comic Raffles the Gentleman Thug A Bouncer amp The R Flickr

  • (To King Edward VII) 'Is sir perchance passing by the infirmary on his way home? If so, you'll want to get that fucker stitched, y'cunt.' (This as he uses an anachronistic Stanley-knife on the King)
  • 'Is sir addressing me or is he masticating on a house brick? Because either way sir loses his fucking teeth.'
  • (While assaulting the ambassador to Moldavia) 'Have you had enough? Have you had enough you fucking Moldavian bastard, your Excellency.'
  • (Raffles' chalked graffiti) 'All Bow Street Runners are illegitimate'

  • Raffles, the Gentleman Thug Who is the best Viz character Page 6 United Forum

    Raffles, the Gentleman Thug Raffles the Gentleman Thug Archives VIZ

    Raffles, the Gentleman Thug THANKS TO ALL THAT PLAYED POT 116 Winners listed on Page 39

    References

    Raffles, the Gentleman Thug Wikipedia