It was amazing to see Isle of Wight band, Wet Leg, being featured on the third page of the most recent Sunday Times after their amazing Brits appearances and awards.
The only thing that stuck in the craw was the headline:
“Making a splash, the indie winners named after daytrippers to the Isle of Wight”
The article also confidently goes on to declare:
“‘Wet Leg’ is a term used by Isle of Wight residents to refer to the daytrippers and holidaymakers who descend from the mainland.”
Larking about
Errr, no it isn’t. No-one on the Isle of Wight has ever used or heard that phrase.
‘The definition’ was clearly the band having a bit of a lark during the endless round of interviews they had to do when they were getting started.
We imagine they didn’t think it would catch on and be repeated as gospel.
It’s everywhere
It’s not just headlines it’s being repeated in – Islanders have told News OnTheWight they’ve been working on the Mainland and being told about ‘Wetleggers’ are what Islanders call visitors.
Does it matter? Ultimately no, but Islanders are telling us it’s hard to see it bandied about when it’s clearly not true.
Where did the name come from?
When Wet Leg rose to fame in 2021 following the release of Chaise Longue, one of the most commonly asked questions was where their name came from and what it means.
News OnTheWight chatted to the band to find out the answer.
Article edit
1.35pm 15th Feb 2023 – Link to how the band name came about added
Image: © Hollie Fernando
