What is it about the English town of Slough that makes it such a maligned and joked about place?

Question

contemplating moving to the area

Answer 1

It was first maligned by the poet John Betjemen. 'Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough'.

It got its second dose of fame from 'The Office' of course.

It's just a reputation that has stayed with the town. A bit like the 'digusted' folk of Tunbridge Wells!

Answer 2

I haven't ever actually been despite only living 40 miles or so away , but from what I have heard it is synonomous with bad post-war town planning, it's just an ugly soulless kind of place, but there are other places just as bad.

I think being so close to the more leafy, pretty tidy towns in Surrey and Buckinghamshire makes it seem a fair bit worse by comparison which doesn't help matters.

I think you should still see for youself though, it would be a shame to fully write a place off on the basis of hearsay.

Answer 3

Well, if you arrive by Bus or Coach, you will enter a dark, damp, decrepid concrete cave (late 60's style) no toilets, broken/boarded up shops., and that my friend is a classic example of " First Impressions" its an un-loved neglected Dump ! What puzzles me is why the residents have not voted the local council out of office !, but maybe some of the residents of slough are not entilteled to vote ? You get the picture ?

Answer 4

The following could give a lead to the reason:-

Main Entry: slough
Pronunciation: 'slü, 'slau; in the US (exc NewEng) 'slü is usual for sense 1 with those to whom the sense is familiar; Britain usually 'slau for both senses
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English sloughe, slo, from Old English slOh; akin to Middle High German slouche ditch
1 a : a place of deep mud or mire b also slew or slue /'slü/ (1) : SWAMP (2) : an inlet on a river; also : BACKWATER (3) : a creek in a marsh or tide flat
2 : a state of moral degradation or spiritual dejection
- sloughy /-E/ adjective

Answer 5

I'm guessing because most people associate slough with a swamp. Still it's better than Climax, Saskatchewan or Dildo, Newfoundland. Talk about maligned and laughed at.

Answer 6

Have you ever been there?

Hmmm...it's not very nice. Search Google images for Slough and you'll see why...

But it has had a lot of money invested in it over the past 10 years or so, so it will get better :)

best,

abdotzed

Answer 7

its a bit of a boring town. its very comercial and quite dull. it is ful of chavs, and it has a high crime rate. 6 major motor ways run through it, helping it to become the 'statistically least tranquil' place in england. one of the main features is the slough trading estate.

Answer 8

Thank david Grant for that

Answer 9

It's ugly

Answer 10

agree with everyone else