# What is that ska beat? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 27, 2005, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-that-ska-beat/332857 "2005-11-27T00:46:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Squee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Squee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squee)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-that-ska-beat/332857/21 "2005-12-06T03:18:42Z")
Sorry to bump this up from the bowels of CS, but I have one more question… What does “rude” mean in ska terms. I was just listening to Sublime (Jailhouse) and it reminded me. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-that-ska-beat/332857/22 "2005-12-06T03:34:21Z")
During the '60s in Jamaica, the euphemism of choice (of disapproving authority figures) for sexual action was “rude behaviour” or just “rudeness.” So a “Rude boy” was slang for a sexed-up teenager, and juvenile delinquents in general, by extension. This is why you hear “Rudy” in so many “Ska” songs, and provides some context: > [@The Specials](#): > > Stop your messing around > Better think of your future > Time you straightened right out > Creating problems in town > > Rudy, a message to you > Rudy, a message to you, Rudy ---
**Author:** ![Squee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Squee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squee)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-that-ska-beat/332857/23 "2005-12-06T03:42:13Z")
Thankee… Now to bust out my Specials CD. = ) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-that-ska-beat/332857.md?page=1)