quicko: grommets

Contrary to popular belief, grommets (aka grommies) actually do exist, though also not (to the best of my knowledge) in the fossil record. Although the term is used in American (and British, etc.) surf culture as well, it came out of the Australian surf culture of the 1970s and is an affectionate term for young surfers, under 18 or so. Though older surfers may give grommies a hard time, they actually care for them considerably more than they let on and many grommies look up to older surfers in their tribe when they can't find role models elsewhere in life. Grommies tend to be rather ragamuffin-y, grungy, medium-long-haired miscreants, as well as excellent surfers, having begun so young. Man-grommets share similar characteristics, but have surpassed the age requirement without disentangling themselves from the rowdy behaviors often associated with young grommets.