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bbenzel
Lokahi
USA
130 Posts |
 Posted - 02/22/2008 : 1:39:05 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Basil Henriques
quote:
And besides which, aluminium ain't right
How did AIN'T become the accepted abbreviation of "is not," or isn't it ? Am I not right ?
You're attributing that to us "ugly Americans" Basil??
'Fraid not...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain't
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bbenzel
Lokahi
USA
130 Posts |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2008 : 2:49:47 PM
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Bill (and Basil) to compound both former concepts, when I was in the wilds of Wiltshire in about 1972, I bought rounds of Worthington E from the Wood for an old duffer just to hear him talk. He continually used "bain`t" in his conversation. Must have been a contraction of "Basil-ain't".
In the first Wiki entry, there is a mention of the Southeastern US. It has long been thought, by linguists, that the dialects spoken in the mountainy regions of SE US are much closer to the original "Bringlish" spoken in the 17th and 18th centuries on both sides of the pond. In much the same way that Bajan (Barbados) is purer 18th century Irish than 20th century Irish is. http://www.bajan.org/slang.htm
TomAto.
...Reid |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2008 : 08:39:41 AM
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"Baja Norte????"
That would be Alta California. A place with a long a long and ignoble history; which finally has a governor who knows how to pronounce the name properly. For which he is ridiculed.
Of course, I live in a state with a name that appears on best guess to be based on a faulty reading of 1/2 of a bad map that had absolutely nothing to do with the land area in question....
And I have been chastised for incorrectly pronouncing the Hawaiian mispronunciation of "Spaniard." Who were Mexican.
Which leads to the question: Why can't the English pronounce Spanish words properly? The BBC to the contrary, Cervantes' masterwork is not "Dawn Kwicks-Zoat" (or, for that matter, "Donkey Oatey"). Nor does "macho" rhyme with "matches."
I do like the Queen's choice in hats, though. |
Edited by - Mark on 02/23/2008 08:42:57 AM |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2008 : 09:35:27 AM
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Basil,
you don't get Alaska, either. We bought that fair and square from the Russians!
i whole-heartedly agree with the rugby, though. This "football" played here is a sissy game if there ever was one. Our Eagles are no match for Jonny W. and the rest of your side, let alone the southern hemi teams, but, they play the toughest game in the world (excepting marriage) and, as my favorite t-shirt says, "Rather to have played rugby and lost than to ever have played baseball" |
Karl
Frozen North |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2008 : 09:42:24 AM
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I would like to seriously say I do prefer the English system for national elections better than ours. If i am correct, the whole thing is over in 5-6 weeks. THe candidates had better well know what they are talking about, and the voters had better pay attention. And, I feel that if we knew we would have to suffer their debates for only 5 weeks, we might actually look forward to what they were about to say, and by extension, we would be more likely to vote, as well.
Of course, that would necessitate the candidates were actually smart enough to think on their feet, have meaningful debates about subjects that mattered (it's the environment, stupid, not flag burning or abortion or what color or sex you are...long live Margaret Thatcher) and allowed anyone to attend thei meetings and ask questions. |
Karl
Frozen North |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2008 : 12:11:36 PM
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But the Queen's purses.....as if she ever carried money, a hairbrush, breath mints, makeup, a snack for the kids, a pen, a small writing tablet, the cell phone, small bottle of Purell, the one earring from a set that went missing and an extra pair of panty hose. Oh, and a Toolman. Ugly, ugly purses.
Why do them palace guards wear those funny, furry hats. I heard they are bear skin. I bet no bears in UK. And there should be no selling of peerages. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2008 : 3:12:40 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by wcerto
But the Queen's purses.....as if she ever carried money, a hairbrush, breath mints, makeup, a snack for the kids, a pen, a small writing tablet, the cell phone, small bottle of Purell, the one earring from a set that went missing and an extra pair of panty hose. Oh, and a Toolman. Ugly, ugly purses.
Majesty Magazine once reported that Her Majesty's purse contains: "a comb, a handkerchief, a small gold compact, and a tube of lipstick" plus - on Sundays - folded money for the collection plate. Buckingham Palace chooses not to respond to the magazine; they never return my calls, either. |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2008 : 4:30:33 PM
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All kidding aside, Monsier Henriques and friends, I would rather put up with all the ineffectiveness of this huge, burdensome system if I can just live here in this magnificent country. At least I can walk into the polling place and privately mark my ballot, then walk out of the building without being shot in the back.
I can actually stand in front of my Board of Supervisors and tell them exactly what I think, then walk away without the fear of being stabbed to death in the parking lot.
These seemingly small advantages loom large in my mind. I spent my youth in two war-ravaged countries in Asia and Europe. Let me tell you, there ain't nothing quite like good old California. I can travel here without being mugged. I can go to the store without being harassed.
Having worked my fingers to the bone in "Silicon Valley" over the last 40 years, I have a lovely home, several very fine vehicles, a stable of beautiful instruments and yes, the privilege of voting. Had I stayed in Europe, I'd probably be living in a third story flat, bicycling to work, handing over a huge portion of my salary for taxes, and still be harassed for my brownish skin color.
So all in all, I'm pretty jazzed to be living here in the US of A, thank you very much.
Just my two Euros worth.
Julie |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2008 : 7:51:17 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Julie H
Just my two Euros worth.
Which is about $3 USD today. But the British still use the pound sterling, rather than the euro. |
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da_joka
Lokahi
361 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2008 : 9:21:11 PM
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| at least one ting still connects us an da britts, da inch. |
If can, can. If no can, no can. |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2008 : 02:23:53 AM
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Ok...someone dissed American football...time to say something!
Just wanted to be sure a few of the rugby types out there understand what happens when a football player uses padding.
As most Americans know, and appearantly some European folks dont, padding also allows the players to deliver a much harder blow. American football players have carreer ending injuries all the time despite the padding.
I think a rugby player suited up in padding would re-think the "sissy" idea after receiving a full speed hit from an american style football player. My humble opinion. |
Bob |
Edited by - RWD on 02/24/2008 02:32:01 AM |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2008 : 12:13:19 PM
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Bob,
Watch an international rugby game time. The hits are just as hard, the players play both ways (so players of the same position on each time actually do play against each other, unlike football where Favre never touches Brady), only six substitutions per game (and you cannot come back in once subbed out), 80 minutes of playing time, with very few if any real time outs, no oxygen masks between plays, and the coaches sit in the stands and don't think for the players.
Foot ball has its exciting moments, but for an all around good contact team (very few stand-out stars) sport with nary a minute of down time, rugby takes the cake, hands down.
And, if you are proud of career-ending injuries, you won't like rugby at all; there are fewer injuries than i n soccer, much fewer than american football. If you think Bret Favre is an icon for having 240-some starts, remember he is only in 30 minutes of each game and only plays for one team, the Packers. IN contrast, a player like George Gregan, the Australian national scrum-half (analogous to the quarterback position) has played about 150 international matches for his country and another 15-20 provincial matches for his club side (Australian Capital Territories Brumbies) in the last 15 years. 80 minutes, both ways, taking and making tackles, earning his starting position every week on merit, not payroll and I've never seen him injured. Same goes for dozens of others.
And, if you are a real hack player like myself and wish to continue this foolishness into old age, you can. The international Golden Oldies festivals held every 2 years somewhere in the northern or southern hemispheres, allows you to play until you die. YOu get to wear different colored shorts do tacklers know whether they can beat the cookies out of you, only stand yo up in a tackle, or must leave you alone entirely (over 70 you get that privilege; if your team can somehow get the ball to you, and you can somehow make it to the goal line, you are assured of a score). That kind of infrastructure just does not happen in nay other sport.
In the end, my friend, it is 'to each his own'. You can have your version football (which derived from rugby), my wife makes me watch it every weekend (Favre is her hero), and i will have mine (which came directly our of soccer, the "real" football).
If we ever meet, I'd love to lift a pint with you while we watch a good game of either on the tube
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Karl
Frozen North |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2008 : 1:47:41 PM
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"Football is cold and brutal; brothers beating each other up in th alley. Baseball is Fathers and sons playing catch; it spans the generations..." Donald Hall
Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2008 : 1:50:58 PM
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On the other hand, if the sum total of career -ending injuries is what sports is really all about, and the determining factor of a game's worth, I guess I must defer to soccer, in which the fans as well as the players are permitted to try to kill the other team. I don't think even boxing or hockey can top soccer for pure mahem.
Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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