Skins. What does it mean?

[tech_guy]

I've just been looking at the pictures section of the BBC website and they have this image from 1976:

 

BBC NEWS | Special Reports | Valued exposure: Flying

 

If you look at the graffiti on the wall behind the kids you'll see the word 'skins' - I remember seeing this painted a lot on walls back around then ( I was 13 in 1976 ) - what does it mean? Is it a name for a football team or something?

 

The word 'Aggro' used to be daubed around a lot as well.

 

I worked as a photojournalist in the early 1980's and I have pictures I took in Coventry that have the same graffiti.

 

Any insights much appreciated!

[webman]

Take your pick.

[Netman]

Short for 'Skinheads' - there were a lot of them about then....

[Heebeejeebee]

Skin heads?

 

HBJB

[tech_guy]

Take your pick.

 

Yikes, this was back in the 70's - some of these uses are more recent surely?

[Heebeejeebee]

Note to self - hit the post button a bit quicker.

[tech_guy]

Short for 'Skinheads' - there were a lot of them about then....

 

Yeah, I think you're spot on there now I think about it.

[tech_guy]

And was the phrase 'aggro' used by the same individuals?

[Netman]

And was the phrase 'aggro' used by the same individuals?

 

Judging by the skinheads I knew back then - yes!!

[CESIL]

I believe 'aggro' was shorthand for aggravation...

[UnknownStuntman]

aggro : Chiefly British Slang Aggressive or violent behavior.

 

Another possible answer would be that they are just tags of individual graffiti artists, normally used to identify picture work but sometimes just seen as their name/tag.

 

Given the era though I would lean more towards skin heads and aggressive behaviour