AJC > NorthSide > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIf you’re a “townie,” is that a good thing?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Perhaps you’ve seen a “Townie” decal on a car in Sandy Springs. They’re also showing up on T-shirts, coffee mugs and baseball caps.
One of the decals caught our attention recently, and we sent a writer to find out more. There’s a gift shop in Sandy Springs, The Scarlet Tassel, that sells them. The owner found them in a catalogue from New England and thought they’d be a good fit in the still fledgling city of Sandy Springs.
In many college towns, the word “townie” is an insult offered by students who are part-time residents and it describes the folks who live there all the time.
In Sandy Springs, is it a source of pride or fighting words to be called — or call yourself — a townie?
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Sandy Springs
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By KT
September 28, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
Hello morons! “Townie” is not a term of endearment. You can’t just change the conotation of a word just because you want to apply it to yourself in a different manner.
“Townie” is the suburban living version of “Carnie.”
By KT
September 28, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
Hello morons! “Townie” is not a term of endearment. You can’t just change the connotation of a word just because you want to apply it to yourself in a different manner.
“Townie” is the suburban living version of “Carnie.”
By cjc
October 1, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
In Athens, Ga., it means those ueber-hip people, ages 26-50 something, who went to UGA and decided to stay there.
By Missandie
October 4, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “Townies” as follows: Inflected Form(s): plural townies : TOWNSMAN; especially : a permanent inhabitant of a town as distinguished from a member of another group (as the academic community)
By Mrs. Warren
October 8, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
I no longer live in Sandy Springs but I do live in Milton, one of the other new Fulton cities. I don’t think I’d want to be a townie after what I heard from a family friend. Her father lived in Sandy Springs and just recently passed away. He was 94. According to her a neighbor called the police and/or code enforcement one day there were lots of cars parked outside and two white vans. Apparently a violation of code. Turns out the vans were the coroner/funeral home coming to pick up the her father’s dead body and the cars were her and her relatives handling the deceased being picked up. And the police showed up thinking it was a drug dealer’s house. What lovely neighbors.
So maybe “Townie” in the case of Sandy Springs can mean a bad thing.
By Derek Korn
October 8, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
When i lived in Jacksonville Beach back in the early 80’s we referred to the surfers from in town as “Townies” which was suppose to be of deragatory nature. But checking recently it’s evolved to a prideful term. I like it, let’s go with it; seems to make sense. If you aren’t proud of Sandy Springs don’t use it.
By KT
October 8, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
I think “Townie” for Sandy Springs refers to those people who have nothing better to do, but devote their life to complaining about every tiny development proposed in the city limits…some of the same people who serve on the Planning Commission and Design Review Board and who think they are real members of Sandy Springs government. Those people need to get a life and get a real job and quit thinking they’re sombody special because they show up at every, single council, board and commission meeting. You’re not cool b/c city staff know you by name! Get a clue, they roll their eyes when you’re not looking and only know your name because you continue to badger them with emails and petitions about things you decide to make your business.