The TRUTH!!!

[clarsct]

About Black Helicopters..



Now it all makes sense.
http://zapatopi.net/blackhelicopters/

[uk_dave]

....discover "subversives" who are not bowing to the will of the Liberati's UN-backed Federal Government.

http://zapatopi.net/blackhelicopters/

Apparently Perry Logan is a nano-black helicopter

Now it's all beginning to make sense....

(Ever wonder if our lords and masters have a giggle at this nonsense?)

[Firestone]

I don't exist (http://zapatopi.net/belgium/) ! :eye-poppi

What a funny website. :)

[PerryLogan]

Apparently Perry Logan is a nano-black helicopterWell, I do have childhood memories of bursting out of a cow. Doesn't everyone do that?

[MortFurd]

I don't exist (http://zapatopi.net/belgium/) ! :eye-poppi

What a funny website. :)

Rats. There went Belgian chocolate and the best french fries in the world. :(


PS:
Was there really a law passed in Belgium in the late eighties to require the fat in the fryers be changed at least once a year? That was the story in the US Air Forces in Germany way back when. Guys claimed there were protests from the french fry stand operators that they'd lose that distinctive, yummy, belgian french fry flavor if they had to change the oil that often.

[Architect]

Rats. There went Belgian chocolate and the best french fries in the world. :(



You do realise that only North Americans call them French Fries, don't you?? I just point this out because they were a Belgian invention and they might get a bit miffed.........

.....Chips (as in Chipped Potatoes) or Frites are the normal term in Europe.


:boxedin:

[PerryLogan]

They're freedom fries here, bub!

[Architect]

That's because Bush was so thick he didn't realise they came from Belgium, wasn't it? :p

After all, what did the French ever do for America......apart from support you in the Revolution, help bankroll your fledgling state, provide the Statue of Liberty, and so on.....:confused:

[MortFurd]

You do realise that only North Americans call them French Fries, don't you?? I just point this out because they were a Belgian invention and they might get a bit miffed.........

.....Chips (as in Chipped Potatoes) or Frites are the normal term in Europe.


:boxedin:
Dude...
Check the location.

I'm in EUROPE. The Krauts call 'em "Pommes" from "Pommes Frites," "fried potatos."

[gumboot]

We call the chunky ones you get in a takeaway store "chips" but the long skinny ones you get in a place such as McDonalds "fries" or "french fries".

-Gumboot

[Architect]

Ja, Ja....ich spreche Deutsche. Not so hot at the writing, mind.

Father was an engineer based in Switzerland with Roche.......used to live about an hour south of Zurich close to Zugsee, some 30 years ago.

Swiss Germans say Frites, for sure. Mind you they also say Merci. :)

[Firestone]

PS:
Was there really a law passed in Belgium in the late eighties to require the fat in the fryers be changed at least once a year? That was the story in the US Air Forces in Germany way back when. Guys claimed there were protests from the french fry stand operators that they'd lose that distinctive, yummy, belgian french fry flavor if they had to change the oil that often.I don't know if there was an actual law, but certainly our "frituren" had a bad reputation as far as the quality (freshness) of the fat is concerned.

Part of the problem was that their income-tax was partly based on the quantity of fat they bought. Not really an incentive to refresh it regularly.

This is no longer the case. The consumer magazine "Test Aankoop" regularly tests the quality of the fat, and the results are quite OK now.

By the way, the best frituur in the world is in my hometown, Antwerp. Said in full objectivity, of course!

[Foolmewunz]

I don't know if there was an actual law, but certainly our "frituren" had a bad reputation as far as the quality (freshness) of the fat is concerned.

Part of the problem was that their income-tax was partly based on the quantity of fat they bought. Not really an incentive to refresh it regularly.

This is no longer the case. The consumer magazine "Test Aankoop" regularly tests the quality of the fat, and the results are quite OK now.

By the way, the best frituur in the world is in my hometown, Antwerp. Said in full objectivity, of course!

Where's Pardalis? Somebody needs to stand up for the rural Quebec frites wagon. Ubiquitous for years, they're getting hard to find, but they make some of the best fries/frites in the world.

They, too, re-use their oil for weeks and or months. They also pre-cook the fries at a lower heat, and then finish them later at top heat. Makes for an awesome snack, even a meal.

"Cat Stee-may, all dress, pwee duh freet see voo play"! That's how I memorized how to order in Quebecois when I first arrived in Montreal in 1970. Actual spelling would be more like ... Quatre 'steamie' all dress, pui deux frites, s'il vous plait.

"Quatre "Steamie" (4 steamed hot dogs, don't knock 'em unless you've tried 'em - they're awesome) ,
"All Dress" is similar in Anglo-Canadian, "all dressed" i.e. "with everything on 'em, and "everything' in Quebec is mustard, cole slaw and pickle relish.
"pui deux frites, svp!" = "and ummm, two orders of fries/frites/chips.....

Catsup optional but white (not malt) vinegar preferred.

Music to my ears! Ambrosia to my tastebuds!

[Architect]

Don't Canadians say Ketchup, in accordance with their normal practice of using British/"real" spellings?

[bourgeois_rage]

Zapatopi is one of the best websites ever.

[Pardalis]

"Cat Stee-may, all dress, pwee duh freet see voo play"! That's how I memorized how to order in Quebecois when I first arrived in Montreal in 1970. Actual spelling would be more like ... Quatre 'steamie' all dress, pui deux frites, s'il vous plait.

"Quatre "Steamie" (4 steamed hot dogs, don't knock 'em unless you've tried 'em - they're awesome) ,
"All Dress" is similar in Anglo-Canadian, "all dressed" i.e. "with everything on 'em, and "everything' in Quebec is mustard, cole slaw and pickle relish.
"pui deux frites, svp!" = "and ummm, two orders of fries/frites/chips.....

Catsup optional but white (not malt) vinegar preferred.

Music to my ears! Ambrosia to my tastebuds!

That's why we call ourselves "la Belle Province". ;)

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/8886459e6fa4868af.jpg

BTW, your French is very good. :)

[Minadin]

Don't Canadians say Ketchup, in accordance with their normal practice of using British/"real" spellings?


I don't know about that but we call it Ketchup here in in the middle states.

[Foolmewunz]

That's why we call ourselves "la Belle Province". ;)

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/8886459e6fa4868af.jpg

BTW, your French is very good. :)

Ha! Wish it were so! Figuring out which pea souper word to throw into the middle of a sentence and still be understood was difficult! Learned it from listening to two cultural icons.... Robert Charlebois and Yvon Deschamps (Une Job Steady.... Un Bon Boss!) and hanging around Carre St. Louis in the 70's. Not to mention the literary beacon - Allo Police! Great time to be in Montreal.

I have a Parisienne on my staff, and she always mocks my Quebecois accent. But I have a girl from Sherbrooke in the building, too! We gang up on her and converse in joual! Having lunch about a month ago I heard that distinctive accent and turned around and I swear it was an east-end biker, and the guy even had a tuque on! I wanted to hug him!

[clarsct]

Self Bump.


Maybe moving ole what'shisdisease down the page ain't such a bad idea, nu?

[The Doc]

Apparently Perry Logan is a nano-black helicopter


I knew it!

[PerryLogan]

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/thum_12233459e36b4aa2af.jpg
Resistance is futile, puny humans.

[This Guy]

I don't know about that but we call it Ketchup here in in the middle states.

We pulled into Lisbon Portugal for a mid patrol break once. A shipmate and I were sightseeing together, and decided it was time to eat. We decided we'd eat in the first restaurant we came across that didn't have anything dead hanging in the window, that we couldn't identify. Found one that only had what appeared to be a chicken hanging in the window, AND an English menu!

We both ordered what sounded like either baked or broiled chicken (we hoped it wouldn't be the one from the window) and fried potatoes (that ended up looking a lot like French Fries. Had to point to what we wanted, because the waiter didn't speak English.

I asked for some ketchup for my fries. Took about 4 minutes of back and forth between the waiter and I before he appeared to understand (that should have been a clue!).

About 20 minutes later, after our food was gone, he returned with a bottle of Hunts or Heinz, I forget. But it was caked in dust. Had to have been in some dark dank cellar or something. I was glad I had finished the potatoes, or I would have felt obliged to eat some of it.

That was New Years (give or take a day) of 1986, and I still get a chuckle out of it when I think about it :)

[Architect]

Lisbon Portugal

As opposed to Lisbon where?! :confused:

[WildCat]

I don't know about that but we call it Ketchup here in in the middle states.
Yeah, only east coast elitists say "catsup". Use that word in grade school and you're in for a smackdown.

French fries: cut similar to McDonald's fries.
Steak fries: my favorite, very large cut, often wedge-shaped.
Shoestring potatos: very thin cut.
Waffle fries: self-explanatory
Hash browns: very thin cut (grated actually), fried in a pan. Usually a breakfast side.

[WildCat]

As opposed to Lisbon where?! :confused:
North Dakota (http://www.lisbonnd.com/)? Don't think a ship would be docking there though!

AFAIK, there is only one Chicago. But I still have to specify "Illinois" when giving my address over the phone, you'd think "Chicago" and the zip code would suffice.

[Architect]

It is something of a running joke in Europe the way Americans feel the need to say "Paris, France" and so on during the News. Like, because, in article about French politics we'd really believe that Mitterand was in some Texan backwater or something!

And no, in Europe we would just say "Chicago"

[JimBenArm]

It is something of a running joke in Europe the way Americans feel the need to say "Paris, France" and so on during the News. Like, because, in article about French politics we'd really believe that Mitterand was in some Texan backwater or something!

And no, in Europe we would just say "Chicago"


Well, in our defense, we become used to naming the city and state, because there are so many cities with the same name. So, if you say Springfield, you have to also say which state, otherwise you have to guess if it's Missouri, Illinois, Massachusetts, etc. So, it carries over to cities outside our borders.

[Architect]

You also know that the fact your "cities" can be as small as, like, 20,000 is a cause for continual amusement? So for example CNN refers to "the Scottish city of Paisley" even though Paisley is actually just considered a town.

[JimBenArm]

Oh, so you just keep us around for comic relief? Now I understand!

I knew I was good for something!

[WildCat]

You also know that the fact your "cities" can be as small as, like, 20,000 is a cause for continual amusement? So for example CNN refers to "the Scottish city of Paisley" even though Paisley is actually just considered a town.
This actually varies widely in the US according to region, and also in the context it is used. For example, everyone in the suburbs simply refers to Chicago as "the city", but Chicago can also be "my kind of town". It all depends on the meaning you're trying to convey I guess.

[Architect]

Oh, so you just keep us around for comic relief? Now I understand!

I knew I was good for something!

:D


No, not at all. We keep you around for high quality Sitcoms, great films, and in case we need someone to turn up late for a World War.. ;)

[JimBenArm]

:D


No, not at all. We keep you around for high quality Sitcoms, great films, and in case we need someone to turn up late for a World War.. ;)

Well, the invitation was lost in the mail, and our dog was sick, because he ate our homework. We'll be on time next go-round!

[Oliver]

Dude...
Check the location.

I'm in EUROPE. The Krauts call 'em "Pommes" from "Pommes Frites," "fried potatos."

The Krauts usually say "Fritten" but "Pommes" is okay, too.
Chips are "Pringles (http://www.pringles.de/de2/index.php)" here - i wonder what chips are in england
if they use to say chips meaning Mc Donalds like "fried potatos"? :confused:

[Architect]

The Krauts usually say "Fritten" but "Pommes" is okay, too.
Chips are "Pringles (http://www.pringles.de/de2/index.php)" here - i wonder what chips are in england
if they use to say chips meaning Mc Donalds like "fried potatos"? :confused:


Pringles and their ilk are Crisps in Britain (how would you like it if I used "Bavaria" whenever I mean Germany?).

Chips are generically all fried chipped potatoes. The term Fries is understood because MacDonalds put it on their menu, but is not generally used.

[Architect]

Well, the invitation was lost in the mail, and our dog was sick, because he ate our homework. We'll be on time next go-round!


What really puzzles me is how you manage to claim that WW1 lasted until 1919, when the Germans gave up in 1918, dude!

[Oliver]

Pringles and their ilk are Crisps in Britain (how would you like it if I used "Bavaria" whenever I mean Germany?).

Chips are generically all fried chipped potatoes. The term Fries is understood because MacDonalds put it on their menu, but is not generally used.

Personally i wouldn´t mind about "Bavarian" and "German".
So the rest of England does not say "Chips" meaning "Fries"?

[JimBenArm]

What really puzzles me is how you manage to claim that WW1 lasted until 1919, when the Germans gave up in 1918, dude!

Yeah, but we were distracted. We were busy playing cribbage, and didn't notice the surrender papers. They got buried under the mail on the end table, and it was 1919 before we found them. Imagine our embarrassment!

[Architect]

Personally i wouldn´t mind about "Bavarian" and "German".
So the rest of England does not say "Chips" meaning "Fries"?

Are you winding me up? :confused:


You do know that England is just one constituent country of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & NI, and it is wholly incorrect (not to say insulting to those from other bits of the UK) to use the term England when referring to (say) the Government, Queen, etc.? Acceptable exceptions have to be quite specific, e.g. English Law as opposed to Scots Law.

Thus the analogy. How would you like it if all UK news reports referred to the Bavarian government instead of German, if we called you all Bavarians, and so on?

:confused:

[Architect]

Yeah, but we were distracted. We were busy playing cribbage, and didn't notice the surrender papers. They got buried under the mail on the end table, and it was 1919 before we found them. Imagine our embarrassment!


I reckon your lads just wanted an extra year of R&R in Paris.....needed a story to tell the wives, and it stuck!

[Oliver]

Are you winding me up? :confused:


You do know that England is just one constituent country of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & NI, and it is wholly incorrect (not to say insulting to those from other bits of the UK) to use the term England when referring to (say) the Government, Queen, etc.? Acceptable exceptions have to be quite specific, e.g. English Law as opposed to Scots Law.

Thus the analogy. How would you like it if all UK news reports referred to the Bavarian government instead of German, if we called you all Bavarians, and so on?

:confused:

Well, we use to say "Engländer" speaking about british people,
the Government and the Queen - so it´s a traditional thing,
nothing personal. On the other hand the english-speaking people
use to say: "Germanen" instead "Deutsche" or "Germany" instead
"Deutschland".

[Arkan_Wolfshade]

Yeah, only east coast elitists say "catsup". Use that word in grade school and you're in for a smackdown.

French fries: cut similar to McDonald's fries.
Steak fries: my favorite, very large cut, often wedge-shaped.
Shoestring potatos: very thin cut.
Waffle fries: self-explanatory
Hash browns: very thin cut (grated actually), fried in a pan. Usually a breakfast side.
You left off the best kind: jojos (http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1850,153173-228204,00.html)

[Architect]

Well, we use to say "Engländer" speaking about british people,
the Government and the Queen - so it´s a traditional thing,
nothing personal. On the other hand the english-speaking people
use to say: "Germanen" instead "Deutsche" or "Germany" instead
"Deutschland".

The term Englander, Anglais, Inglise, etc. to mean the UK as a whole is considered grossly insulting by the other constituent nations of the UK. As I say, how would Germans feel if we called you all Bavarian, or all Prussian?

BUT you have the term Britischer, don't you? And you call the country Groß Britannien(sp?)

So it's just laziness, like people who call the Netherlands "Holland". ;)





And befofre you say "British people do it", I think if you cast your mind back you'll find they were probably English.

ps. So do you describe Whisky as being English?

pps. So how do you describe the Scottish national football team, aside from the obvious "kack" or "rubbish"?

[Oliver]

The term Englander, Anglais, Inglise, etc. to mean the UK as a whole is considered grossly insulting by the other constituent nations of the UK. As I say, how would Germans feel if we called you all Bavarian, or all Prussian?

BUT you have the term Britischer, don't you? And you call the country Groß Britannien(sp?)

So it's just laziness, like people who call the Netherlands "Holland". ;)

I really never thought about it and i didn´t know that it
is insulting - but how to change a several centuries old
term. And germans don´t have a term like British - just
Engländer - meaning british citizens and England meaning
Britain. :boxedin:

ETA: Großbritannien means Great Britain / United Kingdom.

[Architect]

Yes, but Britain is just an abbreviation of Great Britain. So there would be no reason to use England when you mean the whole country.

Question then: how do you differentiate from (say) the English national football team and the British Olympic team? Or are you trying to tell me that you really don't understand the difference?

Another question: how come British Airways translate their name into German as Britische Luftfahrtsgesllschaft and what does that first word mean?

And (having had to visit it once) what's the sign on that big building in Berlin's Wilhelmstrasse with "Britische Botschaft" mean?


:confused:



And remember. All Scots do German in school. One day, we're going to get you back for Schottenpreis, ya cheeky sods! ;)

[Oliver]

Yes, but Britain is just an abbreviation of Great Britain. So there would be no reason to use England when you mean the whole country.

Question then: how do you differentiate from (say) the English national football team and the British Olympic team? Or are you trying to tell me that you really don't understand the difference?

Another question: how come British Airways translate their name into German as Britische Luftfahrtsgesllschaft and what does that first word mean?

And (having had to visit it once) what's the sign on that big building in Berlin's Wilhelmstrasse with "Britische Botschaft" mean?


:confused:

As far i can tell concerning the german kind of reporting
about it - i guess there is no real difference. I guess these
two teams are called "Englische Nationalmannschaft"
and "Englisches Olympiateam".

I know the difference but the german language seems
to have difficulties to differentiate between "british" and "english".

Also the german translation of British Airways is not a usual
translation here - we use to say "British Airways". But i guess
that "Britische Luftfahrtgesellschaft" is the better translation
because the more familiar sounding name. :boxedin:

And remember. All Scots do German in school. One day, we're going to get you back for Schottenpreis, ya cheeky sods! ;)

Oha - you got me. Is this some kind of Football-thing? :boxedin:

[Architect]

Oha - you got me. Is this some kind of Football-thing? :boxedin:


Yea, funny, Germans always seem surprised that we understand that one..........


......like all the Scottish Regiments in the Rhine Army didn't notice the signs in shops at sale time. :mad:

[Architect]

As far i can tell concerning the german kind of reporting
about it - i guess there is no real difference. I guess these
two teams are called "Englische Nationalmannschaft"
and "Englisches Olympiateam".



And another thing (Columbo mode on) - how do your papers report the result on Scotland v England football games then? England 4, England 3?

[Oliver]

And another thing (Columbo mode on) - how do your papers report the result on Scotland v England football games then? England 4, England 3?

Well, Scotland is Schottland and England is England. :boxedin:

[ConspiRaider]

So then us colonials should then never use "England" not never ever again - ever?

Frankly it's not a lot to get us into a twist over - we don't even know where England / UK / Britian / Great Britian / British Isles are and/or is. As long as we can find our way to the nearest Walmart, we're cool, dude.

[Architect]

I know the difference but the german language seems
to have difficulties to differentiate between "british" and "english".



These seem fairly clear, from my rusty German:


http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gro%C3%9Fbritannien_%28Insel%29

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britisches_Empire

[Architect]

So then us colonials should then never use "England" not never ever again - ever?



That depends; can we start calling you call Canadians? :eek:



It's a simple matter of accuracy and politeness; Britain or UK when you mean the whole country (British Prime Minister, Queen of Britain, British Parliament), England when it's an English item (English Football Team, English Law), Scottish when it's a Scottish item. If in doubt, just use British and you upset nobody.

You might want to remember that Canadians don't generally seem to have any trouble getting right.:boxedin:


Right, now I must go towards the light.......;)

[Oliver]

These seem fairly clear, from my rusty German:


http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gro%C3%9Fbritannien_%28Insel%29

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britisches_Empire

I admit that this must be a littlebit confusing - especially
because it´s some kind of rant if it´s insulting to differ
between the terms. I guess it´s some kind of generalization
but you may like to ask other germans about this explanation,
too - since i have adopted this kind of naming from the media... :boxedin:

[Architect]

There's only 80 million of you and 5 million of us. It's a bit unfair, but we'll tie one hand behind our back to even up the fight.:p

Anyway, rant over. Don't ever get the names mixed up again.....;)

[Pardalis]

It's a simple matter of accuracy and politeness; Britain or UK when you mean the whole country (British Prime Minister, Queen of Britain, British Parliament), England when it's an English item (English Football Team, English Law), Scottish when it's a Scottish item. If in doubt, just use British and you upset nobody.

You might want to remember that Canadians don't generally seem to have any trouble getting right.:boxedin:


Right, now I must go towards the light.......;)

Well, for us Quebecers, the English Canadians, the British, the Scottish, the Irish, the Australians and the Americans are all "maudits Anglais". :p :D

[Architect]

That's that damned horse french for you (touche).....:p

[Oliver]

*snip* And remember. All Scots do German in school. One day, we're going to get you back for Schottenpreis, ya cheeky sods! ;)


So you are ... scottish or british? :confused:

[Architect]

Do you want a kicking?

All Scottish people are British. All English people are British. All Welsh people are British.

[Oliver]

Do you want a kicking?

All Scottish people are British. All English people are British. All Welsh people are British.

Oops - i meant English or Scottish. :"> Now you confused
me, too. Can i get the kick nevertheless? :D :p

[Architect]

"kicking" implies rather more than one kick, and usually a swift trip to A&E

[Elizabeth I]

If in doubt, just use British and you upset nobody.

For real? The Scots and the Welsh don't mind being called "British"?

[Architect]

Yup. It's perfectly accurate and a neutral term. In any event, think of it as being less offensive than being called English because someone thinks it's all the same.

Actually, your name is a classic example. Elizabeth - the current Queen - is officially Elizabeth II, but of course there's never been an Elizabeth I in Scotland.

After she was crowned, ERII started to appear on post boxes, Scottish Government correspondece, Post Office vans, etc. There was a massive outcry and although Buckingham Palace refused publicly to back down, well - put it this way. None of these things appear any more.

It never occurred to the English that we might get upset!

It's especially ironic that a lot of foreigners call her the Queen of England, given that the English royal family died out with Elizabeth I and was subsumed within the Scottish Monarchy (James IV and I).

[This Guy]

As opposed to Lisbon where?! :confused:

If I hadn't specified, SOMEONE out there would be going "Lisbon?" ;)

Or thinking "What's a Submarine doing pulling into -

Here (http://lisboniowa.com/main/)

Or Here (http://www.lisbonnd.com/)

Or Here (http://www.lisbonme.org/)

Or Here (http://www.lisbonvillage.com/)

Or Here (http://www.tn.lisbon.wi.gov/county/app/public?COMMAND=gov.wi.county.view.command.LoadCoun tyHome&countyName=Lisbon)

Or Here (http://www.lisbonnh.org/)

So, I figured I'd specify - Here (http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/) :)

ETA: By the way, you ever been to -

Paris? (http://www.paristn.net/)

Rome? (http://www.romegeorgia.com/)

The Parthenon? (http://www.nashville.gov/parthenon/) Athens (http://www.visitathensga.com/) is a very nice town!

Maybe Bristol (http://www.bristoltn.org/) is more to your liking?

The edit was to show two things. First, there was the chance, however slim, of ambiguity. And second that while we have shaken off the bonds of our overseas master's (;)) We still have many reminders of our heritage :)

[Elizabeth I]

Actually, your name is a classic example. Elizabeth - the current Queen - is officially Elizabeth II, but of course there's never been an Elizabeth I in Scotland.

I know, I remember the flap when Cunard started building the QEII. A lot of the people working on her (the ship, not the Queen) were Scots and got terrifically testy about the name of the ship. So Cunard very hastily said that the II meant that this was the second SHIP to bear the name of "Queen Elizabeth."

And I also remember that a lot of the Welsh were pretty resistant to the investiture of the current Prince of Wales.

So that's why I was surprised to hear that "British" would be acceptable to them. Although I understand how it might be preferable to "English." :)

I had never thought about that point you made, about the throne of Scotland actually taking over the throne of England with the Jameses. Of course, it's actually been the House of Hanover (now Windsor) since the Georges, right?

[Polaris]

As far i can tell concerning the german kind of reporting
about it - i guess there is no real difference. I guess these
two teams are called "Englische Nationalmannschaft"
and "Englisches Olympiateam".

I know the difference but the german language seems
to have difficulties to differentiate between "british" and "english".

Also the german translation of British Airways is not a usual
translation here - we use to say "British Airways". But i guess
that "Britische Luftfahrtgesellschaft" is the better translation
because the more familiar sounding name. :boxedin:

Oha - you got me. Is this some kind of Football-thing? :boxedin:

That's "British Flying mover company" literally, am I right? (I never miss a chance to stay up on my pop quiz German).

[TjW]

So then us colonials should then never use "England" not never ever again - ever?

Frankly it's not a lot to get us into a twist over - we don't even know where England / UK / Britian / Great Britian / British Isles are and/or is. As long as we can find our way to the nearest Walmart, we're cool, dude.

It may be something like talking to someone from Texas. He's a Texan, but he'd probably rather be called an American than a Yankee.

[Architect]

A lot of the people working on her (the ship, not the Queen) were Scots




A lot? A LOT????


It was built on ruddy Clydeside!! Everyone who worked on it (give or take) was Scottish! It was designed by the Scots!


Sheesh


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Queen_Elizabeth_2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Queen_Elizabeth_2)

[Architect]

It may be something like talking to someone from Texas. He's a Texan, but he'd probably rather be called an American than a Yankee.


Think of it more as how upset Texans would get if we started referring to all of America as California, and called all of you (Texans included) Californians.

And then the Californians did nothing to correct it.




In all fairness, I know dutch people who don't live in the bit called Holland that get upset when the whole country gets called that instead of "the Netherlands".

[Oliver]

In all fairness, I know dutch people who don'tlive in Holland that get upset when the whole country gets called that instead of "the Netherlands".

Uh oh. :boxedin:

[Architect]

Uh oh. :boxedin:

:p

[Oliver]

That's "British Flying mover company" literally, am I right? (I never miss a chance to stay up on my pop quiz German).

Your knowledge is pretty good and also correct. You may
translate "Fahrt" as "Travel" or "Luftfahrt" as "Air-Travel"
- this would be a more literal translation. :)

[Polaris]

Your knowledge is pretty good and also correct. You may
translate "Fahrt" as "Travel" or "Luftfahrt" as "Air-Travel"
- this would be a more literal translation. :)

Danke mein Freund. Aber, meine Deutsch ist nicht sehr gut.

[Architect]

Danke mein Freund. Aber, meine Deutsch ist nicht sehr gut.


You should try understanding hochsdeutsch when you've been brought up with Schweitzerdeutsch. :confused:


And go to school in a country where they also take time to explain the difference with Plattsdeutsch and so on. :eek:

[Oliver]

Danke mein Freund. Aber, meine Deutsch ist nicht sehr gut.

Your german is pretty good - you may just practice it a little bit
more - just like i did when i came here. I guess i made some
pretty good progress. :o

You should try understanding hochsdeutsch when you've been brought up with Schweitzerdeutsch. :confused:

And go to school in a country where they also take time to explain the difference with Plattsdeutsch and so on. :eek:

I also have problem to understand all the different "plattdeutsch"-
versions but you can compare it to standard-english and
hillbilly- or Slang-english. It just sounds different but somehow
it may be english, too... :D

[Architect]

Oliver don't start that again. Both your own Government and the EU say Plattsdeutsch is a seperate language.

[Oliver]

Oliver don't start that again. Both your own Government and the EU say Plattsdeutsch is a seperate language.

Pah! So you wanna have WW3? Well, you get it: :D

Plattdeutsch is formally a different language but it´s still
german. Is slang a different language, too? http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/11107451db56d36f14.gif :p

[Architect]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plattdeutsch#Official_status

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_languages#Germanic_languages

http://www.international.niedersachsen.de/en/sprachen.html

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/9479/platt.html

http://www.linguistics.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/~strunk/LearningLowSaxonGender.pdf


On December 1, 1998, Low German was accepted by the European Council into the European Charter of Minority Languages. Low German now has official status as a language. This means, for example, that legal proceedings must now be conducted in Low German if requested and if it is the native language of either parties involved. A group of politicians and interested citizens under the leadership of Wolfgang Bürnsen, member of Germany’s Federal Parliament, organized the bipartisan campaign that is responsible for its success.

[Oliver]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plattdeutsch#Official_status

Mhmm, i don´t care much about official definitions as long
i can understand "Plattdeutsch" and i can see that there
is the same sentence construction and choice of words.
For example: The residents of Berlin use to say "Icke"
instead "Ich" meaning "I". But i wouldn´t declare their
slang as being a different language because some different
sounding words.

I´m also able to understand large parts of the Amish people
but i guess their language is a different one because they
are pretty hard to understand. On the other hand Wikipedia
says that it´s just a dialect:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish

But i admit - it´s pretty hard to distinguish between
hundreds of versions... :boxedin:

[Architect]

Never start an argument about minority and regional languages with someone who's first language is indeed a minority or regional language!

Tha mise ghaidhlig ach a beurla agamsa ceudeuchd!

[Oliver]

Never start an argument about minority and regional languages with someone who's first language is indeed a minority or regional language!

Tha mise ghaidhlig ach a beurla agamsa ceudeuchd!

Huh? Does this mean that "Tha mise ghaidhlig ach a beurla
agamsa ceudeuchd!" is some kind of Plattdeutsch? :confused:

[Architect]

Lit: For I myself am Gaelic, but I speak English too.


Gaelic is the traditional language of Scotland, but now confined to a small minority. The Gaelic Language Bill was recently passed into law and it's status has changed considerably:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/index.htm



The Parliament also use Scots (which I speak), arguably now just a dialect of English but certainly a seperate language right up until the 18th century. Several million speak it informally.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/scots/index.htm


ETA:

Just as a matter of interest, and I'm not taking the mick, how much of this do you understand? You clearly have very good English, but I wondered whether you could follow it (hint, it's easier if you read it out loud as some words sound very similar to English):

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/scots/makingYourVoiceHeard/info/words.htm

[Oliver]

Lit: For I myself am Gaelic, but I speak English too.

Gaelic is the traditional language of Scotland, but now confined to a small minority. The Gaelic Language Bill was recently passed into law and it's status has changed considerably:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/index.htm

The Parliament also use Scots (which I speak), arguably now just a dialect of English but certainly a seperate language right up until the 18th century. Several million speak it informally.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/scots/index.htm

But gaelic has a german origin, too - wrong? That´s what Wiki.de says:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goidelische_Sprachen
"Es gehört in jedem Fall nicht zu den keltischen, sondern zu den germanischen Sprachen (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanische_Sprachen)."

Translation: "It belongs in no way to the celtic but to the germanic
language" :confused:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_languages
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaelic

[Architect]

Nope, Gaelic (together with Irish and Manx, which are mutually intelligible) are both Celtic languages and although there are naturally some German words (there are also French and Spanish) there is no direct linguistic link.

At one time (it is thought) the Celts lived in central Europe.

Scots is a Germanic language, in the same way that English and Frisian are. You would recognise words like Kirk, for church.

[Oliver]

Nope, Gaelic (together with Irish and Manx, which are mutually intelligible) are both Celtic languages and although there are naturally some German words (there are also French and Spanish) there is no direct linguistic link.

At one time (it is thought) the Celts lived in central Europe.

Scots is a Germanic language, in the same way that English and Frisian are. You would recognise words like Kirk, for church.

Well, that´s pretty confusing. :boggled: Let´s blame and impeach Bush! :D
I really never thought much about it but it´s pretty wise that
we have english as a world-language to speak (and flame) to each
other... :)

[Architect]

It's the secret language of the NWO. Donald Trump speaks it (his mum was from Lewis, in the heart of the Gaelic speaking area).:)

How did you get on with the last page of Scots words, btw?

[Oliver]

It's the secret language of the NWO. Donald Trump speaks it (his mum was from Lewis, in the heart of the Gaelic speaking area).:)

And according to Wiki (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump) his Grandfather was from Kallstadt (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallstadt), Germany.
We should switch to a good old beer to destroy all these confusions. :D

[Architect]

And according to Wiki (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump) his Grandfather was from Kallstadt (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallstadt), Germany.
We should switch to a good old beer to destroy all these confusions. :D

Bruce Willis is bilingual in German and English, isn't he?

[Oliver]

Bruce Willis is bilingual in German and English, isn't he?

He grew up over here but his dad is an american who served
in the us-military as far i know. I´m not sure about his german-skills.

[Architect]

I'm pretty sure he's bilingual, or at least fluent (you know the difference, right?)

Anyway you still haven't answered about whether you understood the Scots "definitions" page.....come on, I won't make fun of you!

[Bell]

He grew up over here but his dad is an american who served
in the us-military as far i know. I´m not sure about his german-skills.

What German skills would that be?

Wearing leather shorts and burping to the tune of "She'll be coming round the mountain" ?? [/Captain Blackadder]

;)

[Oliver]

I'm pretty sure he's bilingual, or at least fluent (you know the difference, right?)

Anyway you still haven't answered about whether you understood the Scots "definitions" page.....come on, I won't make fun of you!

Well, i´m pretty sure you will beat me to death about the issue ... at least. :p
The whole issue is pretty confusing and even experts are not sure
about the origins. :boxedin:

[Architect]

What German skills would that be?

Wearing leather shorts and burping to the tune of "She'll be coming round the mountain" ?? [/Captain Blackadder]

;)


Singing Edelweiss, surely?


(it always amazes me how many Brits and Yanks think it really is a tradition German (hahahaa) folk song)

[Oliver]

What German skills would that be?

Wearing leather shorts and burping to the tune of "She'll be coming round the mountain" ?? [/Captain Blackadder]

;)

*LOL* :D I thought about singing David Hasselhoff´s german
folklore songs and drinking Hefeweizen all the time... :D

[Elizabeth I]

A lot? A LOT????

It was built on ruddy Clydeside!! Everyone who worked on it (give or take) was Scottish! It was designed by the Scots!

Well, knowing what a friendly, generous people the Scots are, I thought you might have let SOME other people play. (And to tell the truth, I thought it was designed and engineered by Scots but didn't trust my memory.)

[Architect]

knowing what a friendly, generous people the Scots


Do you own me money or something?;)

[Polaris]

Oliver don't start that again. Both your own Government and the EU say Plattsdeutsch is a seperate language.

Actually I started it.

[Architect]

Right, pick a windae - yer leavin'

[Oliver]

Actually I started it.

I agree... :boxedin: :D

[Architect]

Twa windaes!


(Zwei fenster?)

[Architect]

In fact, I'll change the subject.

Being short of reading material, some 4 weeks into my enforced bed rest and sick leave, I have finally stooped so low as to read a Clive Cussler book - "Sacred Stone".

This has to be the biggest load of pish ever (well, unless we count 28th) and is clearly a conspiracy by the publishers to part me fae my hard earned cash.

Has anyone else found this with Cussler, and do we know his address so I can hop around and shout at him?

[Elizabeth I]

Being short of reading material, some 4 weeks into my enforced bed rest and sick leave, I have finally stooped so low as to read a Clive Cussler book - "Sacred Stone".

This has to be the biggest load of pish ever (well, unless we count 28th) and is clearly a conspiracy by the publishers to part me fae my hard earned cash.

Has anyone else found this with Cussler, and do we know his address so I can hop around and shout at him?
I had him recommended to me by the president of our library foundation, so I checked out some of his books and found much the same thing. He can't write, he can't plot...

Why aren't I a best-seller? I can write junk too.

[Architect]

What came to my attention was that this one - which involves a chase for rogue nuclear devices across northern Europe - has clearly been written by atlas. The guy has done absolutely no research whatsoever. He makes fundamental mistakes.

Jings, I wish I had my £6.99 back. Can I sue Amazon under the Trades Description Act? There's no way that this is a "novel". Presumably the quote on the back "Cussler is hard to beat" omits the phrase "for a load of tosh".

Sigh





We've just rewired the house and all the books are in boxes in the garage. No chance of getting to a bit of decent writing such as:

Ian (M) Banks
Chris Brookmyer
Willie MacIlvaney
Terry Pratchett

sigh (again)