Lager frenzy


What's the meaning of the phrase 'Lager frenzy'?

Drink induced mayhem.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Lager frenzy'?

This term was coined in the UK in the 1980s to describe the activities of ‘lager louts’. It was used several times for comic effect in the British television sitcoms Filthy Rich & Catflap and Bottom. The first mention onscreen was in the fifth episode of Filthy Rich & Catflap (starring Nigel Planer, Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson), which was broadcast in February 1987. It isn’t clear if the writers (Ben Elton, with additional material from Rik Mayall) coined the term or whether they just re-used existing street slang.

The phrase obviously alludes to the earlier term describing shark attacks – feeding frenzy.

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.