NationStates Jolt Archive

Select one of these nations as "the best" in Scandinavia, and give us all a reason why. :)

*I guess techincally Iceland isn't part of Scandinavia, but I threw it on here anyways...because I can!*

POLL COMING

Select one of these nations as "the best" in Scandinavia, and give us all a reason why. :)

*I guess techincally Iceland isn't part of Scandinavia, but I threw it on here anyways...because I can!*

POLL COMING
Denmark because I live there.

Gah...I might as well vote so I can see the poll more easily.

I'll pick Finland, because looking at maps, it seems to have the most lakes.

I like lakes. :p

I was tempted to say Sweden, but since we're roughly equal.. and they'll be getting a lot of compassion votes from around the world anyway, I just had to vote for Finland. But really, Finland, Sweden and Norway, with their tiny differences, are some of the best places in the world to live. Now Denmark is a whole lot more German, but still apparently an excellent place. Iceland is totally different, but all good :P My #1 choice of a country once we run out of fossil fuels

Denmark because I live there.

Denmark is Europe's wang.

:)

Sweden rocks!

I'm gonna go with Sweden by a small margin. If you'd screwed up and put Denmark down as Daneland (a recently endearing trait we're trying to keep my 4 year old cousin from falling into), I would've gone with that, hands-down.

Sweden without a doubt...:)

USSD

United Soviet States of Denmark

Ah... But we just have to wait... It'll come around...

Only problem with Denmark is our lack of a proper military... We had the finest viking warriors, and we shackled Sweden, Norway, England, Normandy, parts of India and a piece of north america... All we have now is the Faroe islands and Greenland... Faroe keeps stealing our money, and Greenland is just a arctic wasteland... Whoopie...

Don't worry, it will all change... All shall be joined under a common banner... Somewhere in the near future...

EDIT: Come on! You're all just voting Sweden 'cause that's the only Scandinavian country you know of! Yellow and blue fits so bad together.... Go RED!

EDIT: Come on! You're all just voting Sweden 'cause that's the only Scandinavian country you know of! Yellow and blue fits so bad together.... Go RED!
Not true, not true. I've actually been through Norway. I daresay if I were voting simply based off of knowledge of a country, it'd have to be that one. I have no proof the rest of the damn countries even exist.

Simonist']I have no proof the rest of the damn countries even exist.

I pity you... The USSD shall rise again!

USSD

United Soviet States of Denmark

Ah... But we just have to wait... It'll come around...

Only problem with Denmark is our lack of a proper military... We had the finest viking warriors, and we shackled Sweden, Norway, England, Normandy, parts of India and a piece of north america... All we have now is the Faroe islands and Greenland... Faroe keeps stealing our money, and Greenland is just a arctic wasteland... Whoopie...

Don't worry, it will all change... All shall be joined under a common banner... Somewhere in the near future...

EDIT: Come on! You're all just voting Sweden 'cause that's the only Scandinavian country you know of! Yellow and blue fits so bad together.... Go RED!

I'm half Swedish, on my Dad's side. That's the reason I voted. (Although I do stand by my assertation about the shape of your country.)

It's a gnome, can't you see that??

Norway, because the SAS do their mountaineering training there.

I pity you... The USSD shall rise again!
YAY! Go USSD!:D

*Plays Hell March in the back...*

Norway, because the SAS do their mountaineering training there.

You can't forget the Fjords!

Iceland, because its cold as **** over there. I like snow. :)

You can't forget the Fjords!

Yes, The beautiful fjords.

I think this cartoon is damn apt right here and now:
http://k10k.net/wulffmorgenthaler/large/693_the_guys_that_founded_s.gif
"The Founders of Scandinavia"

Ah... Morgenthaler... Another great dane... A mighty asset for our lumbering warmachine! :P

I think this cartoon is damn apt right here and now:
http://k10k.net/wulffmorgenthaler/large/693_the_guys_that_founded_s.gif
"The Founders of Scandinavia"
LALALA! is all I can hear from you. :D

Where is the "none of the above" option?

Death by bludgeon!

Where is the "none of the above" option?

Yeah, we need a Moldova button.

Take that Poul Krebs!

Aaaaaaaaaaargh!

Finland är det bästa landet i Norden! :p

The only Great Dane I can think of is Scooby Doo. More evidence for a Superior Sweden!

The only Great Dane I can think of is Scooby Doo. More evidence for a Superior Sweden!

Erm... Can't follow ya...

The only Great Dane I can think of is Scooby Doo. More evidence for a Superior Sweden!
Umm...terrible logic. How much Danish do you know?

I bet you know more Finnish than Danish, and if you don't, you should.

Finnish words you should know:
sauna and sisu

Maybe Suomi, if you're really good.

Erm... Can't follow ya...

Scooby Doo is a cartoon dog. His breed is a Great Dane.

http://www2.warnerbros.com/web/sd_brand/index.jsp

Iceland and Finland aren't really Scandinavia. The classic definition is just Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Finland isn't because it has a Finno-Ugric/Uralic culture rather than North Germanic, and Iceland isn't because it's too far away.

Gah...I might as well vote so I can see the poll more easily.

I'll pick Finland, because looking at maps, it seems to have the most lakes.

I like lakes. :p

Finland only has around thousand lakes or so.

Sweden, on the other hand, has been blessed with thousands of lakes. Additionally, we have two of the largest lakes in Europe. Vote Abbaland!

Iceland and Finland aren't really Scandinavia. The classic definition is just Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Finland isn't because it has a Finno-Ugric/Uralic culture rather than North Germanic, and Iceland isn't because it's too far away.
Erm....

Scandinavia, just considering geography, is just Norway and Sweden. Its a mountain range. Demark is off on the mainland, if you will. There are some low lying foothills of the Scandinavian mountain range in Finland, however, they don't count for some reason. Iceland is out there. Its not part of Scandinavia.

What we are really talking about is "the North" (Norden), or more commonly, the Nordic countries. Since they are all related rather closely by history, and culture for the most part (not including Finland), Scandinavia often refers to the Nordic countries by the uninitiated.

Finland has more lakes then Sweden.
Sweden has more mountains, rivers, forests, people, and land than Finland.
You Swedes take everyting away from Finland! *cries*

I think Finland might be able to win in the island department though.

Erm....

Scandinavia, just considering geography, is just Norway and Sweden. Its a mountain range. Demark is off on the mainland, if you will. There are some low lying foothills of the Scandinavian mountain range in Finland, however, they don't count for some reason. Iceland is out there. Its not part of Scandinavia.

What we are really talking about is "the North" (Norden), or more commonly, the Nordic countries. Since they are all related rather closely by history, and culture for the most part (not including Finland), Scandinavia often refers to the Nordic countries by the uninitiated.

Finland has more lakes then Sweden.
Sweden has more mountains, rivers, forests, people, and land than Finland.
You Swedes take everyting away from Finland! *cries*

I think Finland might be able to win in the island department though.

We'll take your islands too!

We'll take your islands too!
Can't. Sweden signed a treatry that said they'd demilitarilze those islands. Wait....

Dude, you're Oreganian. :p

Can't. Sweden signed a treatry that said they'd demilitarilze those islands. Wait....

Dude, you're Oreganian. :p

But I'm mostly Swedish in heritage though.

Finland - 55.000 lakes



Sweden - 95.000 lakes


:p

But I'm mostly Swedish in heritage though.
Well, in that case, um, act more Swedish and don't care about that stuff.

No wars since 1814...or was it 1816...well, something around there.

:p

Finland:

Lakes - 187,880
Islands - 30,000

http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq41.html#4.2.1

Sweden:

Lakes - 95,700 (105,000 tops, including those that are shared with Norway and Finland)
Islands - 3(ish) + (can't find statement)

http://www.answers.com/topic/geography-of-sweden

OWNED!

Finland:

Lakes - 187,880
Islands - 30,000

http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq41.html#4.2.1

Sweden:

Lakes - 95,700 (105,000 tops, including those that are shared with Norway and Finland)
Islands - 3(ish) + (can't find statement)

http://www.answers.com/topic/geography-of-sweden

OWNED!


in one count, a number of 187,880 islands was reached


Ho-hum...


& I've been to more than three Swedish islands, so I don't know if your post is to intepreted as irony or.. um, a perception of an alternate world..? :p

Sweden=swedish=sweetish=sweet=awesome ipso facto Sweden=awesome, simple math:p

Ho-hum...
& I've been to more than three Swedish islands, so I don't know if your post is to intepreted as irony or.. um, a perception of an alternate world..? :p
Yeah, the site had a typo, it was to mean lakes. It was written by someone who had English as a second language. Anyhoo, I know there's more than three Swedish islands. I don't know how many, so I just counted the big ones on the map.

Where's your source, eh?
At least I have questionably credible sources.

When comparing the 'bestness' of nations, the amount of lakes is indeed a crucial indicator... but it's only the second most important factor. The #1 is obviously the price of alcohol. In this category, Denmark simply owns (with Finland and Sweden following - Norway and Iceland nowhere in sight).

I'm 3 quarters Irish and the rest is Dutch and Danish!

When comparing the 'bestness' of nations, the amount of lakes is indeed a crucial indicator... but it's only the second most important factor. The #1 is obviously the price of alcohol. In this category, Denmark simply owns (with Finland and Sweden following - Norway and Iceland nowhere in sight).
But, Finns have more drinking problems! I read it in Hufvudstadsbladet! Finland is still the bestest! :p

But, Finns have more drinking problems! I read it in Hufvudstadsbladet! Finland is still the bestest! :p
Hold on. When it comes to drinking Danes are superior! It's in our genes.

Finland, Finland, Finland, the country where I want to be...

Okay, I might be biased, but what are you going to do about it?

Okay, I might be biased, but what are you going to do about it?

Turn Finland into the historical bitch it has been of either Sweden or Russia? :p

You passed up a good chance to Godwin there.

You passed up a good chance to Godwin there.

Godwin only rares his ugly head in serious debates. A bunch of Swedes mocking the other Nordic countries doesn't count.

Anyway, I vote Denmark!

Such sweet girls...

Godwin only rares his ugly head in serious debates. A bunch of Swedes mocking the other Nordic countries doesn't count.
What could possibly be more serious..?!?

What could possibly be more serious..?!?

Filthy Norwegians torturing kittens?

Filthy Norwegians torturing kittens?
Right you are... AND, you could work the Quisling-angle, thus ultimately Godwinning the thread. Perfect.

You passed up a good chance to Godwin there.

Snackar du med mig? Hurså?

Snackar du med mig? Hurså?Bitch of Sweden and Russia... and shagged with Hitler too. Along those lines...

Hard to decide...
My ex-gf was a Swede, but my dealer´s a Fin...
I´ll go with Sweden, because sex with her was better than being high on his grass (which is netherlandish, anyway).

Bitch of Sweden and Russia... and shagged with Hitler too. Along those lines...

Meh, it's not the first time someone dealt with the devil to fend off a worse one.

Meh, it's not the first time someone dealt with the devil to fend off a worse one.Well, the moment is gone anyways. It's back to lakes, I'm afraid.

Hard to decide...
My ex-gf was a Swede, but my dealer´s a Fin...
I´ll go with Sweden, because sex with her was better than being high on his grass (which is netherlandish, anyway).

You could have finished this sentance in a somewhat funnier manner.

Well, the moment is gone anyways. It's back to lakes, I'm afraid.

Of which we have more.

Of which we have more.
lol

I'd have to go with Finland. Any country that re-elects a Conan O'Brian look alike is ok with me.

Kinda a no brainer really, Sweden obviously! *Hides "Location" in facts*

Hm...

The Dumb Danes
The Stupid Swedish
The Noble Norwegian
The Funny Fins
The Incorporating Icelanders

Tror vist jeg skal svare på dansk for at give mit svar: DANMARK!
Think i should answer in danish to give my answer: DANMARK!

The Noble Norwegian

Have you ever even met a Norwegian person? Thay're anything but noble. They're sort of like the hicks of the North - electing Christian Democrats and whatnot... :p

See, it's this form thing.
The Dumb Danes
The Stupid Swedes
etc... N N, F F and I I

Now, I believe he thought that "The Hicks of the North Norwegians" would have somehow ruined it... not sure though.


(And wasn't that a rather harsh characterization of the Norwegians..?)

See, it's this form thing.
The Dumb Danes
The Stupid Swedes
etc... N N, F F and I I

Now, I believe he thought that "The Hicks of the North Norwegians" would have somehow ruined it... not sure though.

Well, all the others were negative. He could have gone with "The Nefarious Norwegians" or whatever so as not to break the pattern.

(And wasn't that a rather harsh characterization of the Norwegians..?)

They're Norwegians - who cares! ;)

Well, all the others were negative. He could have gone with "The Nefarious Norwegians" or whatever so as not to break the pattern.



They're Norwegians - who cares! ;)

Filthy Norwegians at that.

Filthy Norwegians at that.


Nasty Norwegians!

More fitting than "Noble"

They are all negative, aren't they?! I thought wether somebody would think "Funny Finns" is somehow positive... like hilarious. Obviously it's along the lines of 'yeah, the retarded cousin is funny that way'.

Of which we have more.
Hurså? :p

(no, really, I'm curious)

Hurså? :p

(no, really, I'm curious)

Det var ett skämt.

Denmark because I live there.

<-- Same reason. :fluffle:

Det var ett skämt.
Bra. Jag hoppas det är bara vi att vet, man kan inte tro på dom där onda danskarna eller norskarna. (Som jag vet. Åland. *suck* :rolleyes: )

Filthy Norwegians torturing kittens?

The Norwegian word "kattungepiner" means "kitten torturer".

Have you ever even met a Norwegian person? Thay're anything but noble. They're sort of like the hicks of the North - electing Christian Democrats and whatnot... :p

I get a feeling someone is feeling bitter that their country now is being represented as a big, floppy penis on coins throughout Europe because Norway didn't join the EU:p

Also, we've kicked the christian democrats out. Now, we've gone with ungodly socialists and farmers.

Opp, alle jordens bundne treller! Opp I, som sulten knuget har!

Bra. Jag hoppas det är bara vi att vet, man kan inte tro på dom där onda danskarna eller norskarna. (Som jag vet. Åland. *suck* :rolleyes: )

Hva er i vegen? Var det ikke så gjevt å eie Jämtland og Härjedalen som dere var forespeilt?:p

I get a feeling someone is feeling bitter that their country now is being represented as a big, floppy penis on coins throughout Europe because Norway didn't join the EU.
I'm laughing so loud, people are looking at me funny. They probably think I'm drunk. Shh!

Opp, alle jordens bundne treller! Opp I, som sulten knuget har!
Min norska är inte så bra. Jag har just börjat med svenska sex månader sen, så jag är ny! :p

Something about farmers and ending det svenska kungaparet!

Hva er i vegen? Var det ikke så gjevt å eie Jämtland og Härjedalen som dere var forespeilt?:p
How is it the...um....

Jovisst! Koff är det bästa som finns!

I voted Finland because saying "FINLAND" is cool. Also I called my cult Hedo-Finnism. So yeah.

Min norska är inte så bra. Jag har just börjat med svenska sex månader sen, så jag är ny! :p

Something about farmers and ending det svenska kungaparet!

Well... Close. Just replace "ending the Swedish crown" with "rise up, you who have been cowed by hunger."

How is it the...um....

Jovisst! Koff är det bästa som finns!

About three houndred and fifty years ago, the Swedes conquered the Norwegian provinces of Jämtland and Härjedalen... Only to realize that there was nothing there, except trees, bears and lumberjacks. In that order of population size.

About three houndred and fifty years ago, the Swedes conquered the Norwegian provinces of Jämtland and Härjedalen... Only to realize that there was nothing there, except trees, bears and lumberjacks. In that order of population size.
Sounds like my home state in the USA. :p

Sounds like my home state in the USA. :p

Which part?

Being the noble, generous, and brave Swedes running off the shifty Norwegians, or the trees, bears, and lumberjacks being the only things worth anything in the area?

Which part?
Michigan. But, there's actually more Finns there. Which aren't really Swedes at all.

Vote Finland!

Finland isn't because it has a Finno-Ugric/Uralic culture rather than North Germanic

Wrong. We have a Finno-Ugric language, where the other Nordic countries have Indo-European languages, but the culture pretty much the same. There's nothing slavic in Finnish culture, though the tendency towards laconism might have something to do with it

Well... Close. Just replace "ending the Swedish crown" with "rise up, you who have been cowed by hunger."



About three houndred and fifty years ago, the Swedes conquered the Norwegian provinces of Jämtland and Härjedalen... Only to realize that there was nothing there, except trees, bears and lumberjacks. In that order of population size.
Maybe so, but the northern and southern parts of Norway were divided, so we could've started a HUGE forest fire! Lucky you we like green... *Shifty eyes*

Maybe so, but the northern and southern parts of Norway were divided, so we could've started a HUGE forest fire! Lucky you we like green... *Shifty eyes*

You'd only burn yourself. Everyone knows that all Norwegians either live on bare mountain rock or within spitting distance of a fjord.

I get a feeling someone is feeling bitter that their country now is being represented as a big, floppy penis on coins throughout Europe because Norway didn't join the EU:

What? I see no penis on the Euro coins. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euro_coins) Or did you miss the delineation between Finland and Sweden on them? Do check again.

Also, we've kicked the christian democrats out. Now, we've gone with ungodly socialists and farmers.

Oh, you'll go back to them, like you do, not to mention Fremskrittspartiet. :rolleyes:

What? I see no penis on the Euro coins. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euro_coins) Or did you miss the delineation between Finland and Sweden on them? Do check again.

Castration does not really make the matter any better.

Oh, you'll go back to them, like you do, not to mention Fremskrittspartiet. :rolleyes:

I fear you may be right...

Castration does not really make the matter any better.

Castration of a penis on the coins that doesn't exist? Okay, and they tell me I'm gay when I look for penises where there are none to be found...

I fear you may be right...

No need to fear us. We let you go. It took us a century to figure out what Denmark already had - you're just not worth it.

Denmark 'cause we... Apparently... Hate muslims and all they stand for... Well, that's what everyone else sees us as now...

Denmark 'cause we... Apparently... Hate muslims and all they stand for... Well, that's what everyone else sees us as now...

You say that like it's a bad thing.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Awhadawhat...?

Awhadawhat...?

You will have to use words, either Danish or Norwegian or Swedish or English or French or German for me to be able to respond to you.

Castration of a penis on the coins that doesn't exist? Okay, and they tell me I'm gay when I look for penises where there are none to be found...

I thought gay people looked for penises were they were to be found.

No need to fear us. We let you go. It took us a century to figure out what Denmark already had - you're just not worth it.

We tried to warn you, ever since 1814...

You will have to use words, either Danish or Norwegian or Swedish or English or French or German for me to be able to respond to you.

Look, if you think that I'm with those muslim hating freaks, then you're wrong... I have a healthy dose of hatred for all of you! Here, have some fist in your face!

I thought gay people looked for penises were they were to be found.

My imagination and libido combined tend to get the better of me.

We tried to warn you, ever since 1814...

Yeah, but you'd been everyone's bitch so often, we had to give you a ride our selves to see what was so special that time around.

Look, if you think that I'm with those muslim hating freaks, then you're wrong... I have a healthy dose of hatred for all of you! Here, have some fist in your face!

Aww, and I would have liked some fist to my ass.

Fass, Finland and Sweden clearly looks like a Penis...

Kind of sad this will be one of my first posts here but ohh well :D lol..

Here is the proof:

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/4057/swedenisapenis5vc.png

And my vote go for Denmark :D .. as we are the best nation economic wise according to resent investigations by the EU commission :D .. and well, the fact I live here might have contributed to my vote as well :P

I'm gonna have to say Norway. Reasons? Well for one, I'm a Norwegian. Secondly, we've been declared the worlds best nation to live in by the UN several years in a row. Thirdly, we're a safe, rich nation with a beautiful nature. Fourthly, and don't tell Bush this, we've got oil and natural gas in plenty!

All that, a working Constitution since 1814 (one of the oldest in Europe), a decent monarchy which doesn't go around making scandal all the time, a 1000 year history as one nation and good relations with almost everyone else in the world. Oh, and we outplayed the Swedes back in 1905! :p

EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot. In '98 we won over Brazil in the soccer world championship! :D

Fass, Finland and Sweden clearly looks like a Penis...

If penises looked like that, I'd kill myself.

If we are talking soccer results again Denmark beats Norway :D ..

1992 - Denmark WINS the European Championsships in the finals against Germany :cool:

Fass.. sorry it was a quick drawing, but you get the picture ;)

Yeah, but you'd been everyone's bitch so often, we had to give you a ride our selves to see what was so special that time around.

So you say. Though it is ironic that from 1523 and on, Norway was the Scandinavian country to be the furthest away from crazy monarchs and crazier nobles.

One thing I find funny is that you Danes and Swedes think that Norway isn't so much to talk about. Then why did you fight to many wars and lost kings because of us? (Jeg snakker her om Kong Karl 12., som ble skutt ved Fredriksten festning i det som nå er Halden)

Well Norway is just some rogue province of Denmark which managed to gain independence with the help of Sweden :D ..

So you say. Though it is ironic that from 1523 and on, Norway was the Scandinavian country to be the furthest away from crazy monarchs and crazier nobles.

Being governed by the Danish one was hard on you, so I understand the denial. And then you went with the ones you have now. How is that lazy Mette Marit coming along? Sick leave again? Too tired to cut a few ribbons? Shooting some speed with Ari Behn?

One thing I find funny is that you Danes and Swedes think that Norway isn't so much to talk about. Then why did you fight to many wars and lost kings because of us? (Jeg snakker her om Kong Karl 12., som ble skutt ved Fredriksten festning i det som nå er Halden)

Well, you know, they were Denmark and we were Sweden. It wasn't about you, it was about us. Like most things.

Well Norway is just some rogue province of Denmark which managed to gain independence with the help of Sweden :D ..

We might as well. The way you kept giving away chunks of Norway every time the Swedes marched in and occupied all of Denmark.

By the way... You "forgot" to hand over Greenland and the Faroe islands. Everyone can make mistakes, but if you don't give them back now, we'll come over there and pour oil in your beer and ruin your windmills by lodging thousand kroner notes in them.

Being governed by the Danish one was hard on you, so I understand the denial. And then you went with the ones you have now. How is that lazy Mette Marit coming along? Sick leave again? Too tired to cut a few ribbons? Shooting some speed with Ari Behn?

You can say what you want about them, but at least they marry outside of their own family.

You can say what you want about them, but at least they marry outside of their own family.

Yeah, it's not like they're part of the inbred House of Oldenburg, or anything.

I really want to go up there for some reason... I dunno, I could go to lots of metal gigs! But it looks like I won't make it for a while yet. A trip to the UK, France and Germany is in the wings though. If I have time/money I'd like to go to the Netherlands and Scandinavia.

Yeah, it's not like they're part of the inbred House of Oldenburg, or anything.
Don't get me started on your king... knugen, som han en gang undertegnet en lov som...

Don't get me started on your king... knugen, som han en gang undertegnet en lov som...

Hellre dyslexi än hemofili.

Yeah, it's not like they're part of the inbred House of Oldenburg, or anything.

Yes. So it's good that they marry outside of family now, don't you think?

Yes. So it's good that they marry outside of family now, don't you think?

They could do better than drug addicts and lazy sluts, you know.

Sverige :)

Hellre dyslexi än hemofili.
Sant nok, men hvem er det da? Ari Behn, som jeg sterkt misliker? Tillat meg å sitere Otto Jespersen (jepp, han fyren som tente på det amerikanske flagget på direkten): "Jeg hater Ari Behn!" Men kongen deres er jo bare direkte dum. Han gikk jo ut og kalte diktaturet Brunei for, hva pokker var det nå igjen, "et demokrati som følger folkeretten" eller noe slikt tøv. Må han fremdeles ha med seg en minister når han skal på utenlandsreiser?

Sant nok, men hvem er det da? Ari Behn, som jeg sterkt misliker? Tillat meg å sitere Otto Jespersen (jepp, han fyren som tente på det amerikanske flagget på direkten): "Jeg hater Ari Behn!" Men kongen deres er jo bare direkte dum. Han gikk jo ut og kalte diktaturet Brunei for, hva pokker var det nå igjen, "et demokrati som følger folkeretten" eller noe slikt tøv. Må han fremdeles ha med seg en minister når han skal på utenlandsreiser?

Han har nästan alltid ministrar med sig när han ska ut. Det borde väl ni i "sista Sovjetstaten" veta? :p

Han har nästan alltid ministrar med sig när han ska ut. Det borde väl ni i "sista Sovjetstaten" veta? :p
Ja det var den ja... "siste Sovjetstat" er vel kanskje å ta litt vel hard i, men jeg skal være ærlig med deg. Jeg misliker sterkt den nye rød-grønne regjeringen. Ikke bare har de brutt alle løftene sine så langt. SV (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) had klart å skape skandale opptil flere ganger, bl.a. ved å si at barnehager kan oppdra barna bedre enn foreldre, demonstrere mot sin egen regjering og lignende andre slike saker. Trenger vel ikke å si at jeg stemte på den andre siden av partiskalaen, gjør jeg?

They could do better than drug addicts and lazy sluts, you know.

And what kind of headlines would we get in papers then? "Norwegian royal family gets through another year without any scandals"? We'd forget we had any!

Ja det var den ja... "siste Sovjetstat" er vel kanskje å ta litt vel hard i, men jeg skal være ærlig med deg. Jeg misliker sterkt den nye rød-grønne regjeringen. Ikke bare har de brutt alle løftene sine så langt. SV (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) had klart å skape skandale opptil flere ganger, bl.a. ved å si at barnehager kan oppdra barna bedre enn foreldre, demonstrere mot sin egen regjering og lignende andre slike saker. Trenger vel ikke å si at jeg stemte på den andre siden av partiskalaen, gjør jeg?

"Barnhage" - haha. Ni pratar så lustigt. Och, nej, det behöver du inte säga, men om den andra sidan av skalan är "Fremskrittspartiet" och Kristdemokrater, så var det väl inte precis ett så mycket bättre val du gjorde? Minns jag rätt så var det väl den regeringen han, vad han nu hette ministern vår, sa det om, när Telia och Telenor skulle gänga sig, eller?

And what kind of headlines would we get in papers then? "Norwegian royal family gets through another year without any scandals"? We'd forget we had any!

There's nothing wrong with that. We block ours out of our collective mind all the time.

Sant nok, men hvem er det da? Ari Behn, som jeg sterkt misliker? Tillat meg å sitere Otto Jespersen (jepp, han fyren som tente på det amerikanske flagget på direkten): "Jeg hater Ari Behn!" Men kongen deres er jo bare direkte dum. Han gikk jo ut og kalte diktaturet Brunei for, hva pokker var det nå igjen, "et demokrati som følger folkeretten" eller noe slikt tøv. Må han fremdeles ha med seg en minister når han skal på utenlandsreiser?
Listen, some of us are trying to follow here. Can you do us the Fassian courtesy and keep your Swedish posts short'n'snappy so we get a chance?

Listen, some of us are trying to follow here. Can you do us the Fassian courtesy and keep your Swedish posts short'n'snappy so we get a chance?

That was Norwegian.

There's nothing wrong with that. We block ours out of our collective mind all the time.

With royals like yours, I suppose you'd have to.

(Oh, that was too cheap! I feel ashamed now:p )

With royals like yours, I suppose you'd have to.

It's fully intentional. We can't all have an archaic monarchy where the Monarch actually has power and we have to listen to his inane babble, you know, like you do.

(Oh, that was too cheap! I feel ashamed now:p )

Since when have Norwegians been ashamed of being cheap? You flock to our side of the border like we were selling manna.

With royals like yours, I suppose you'd have to.

(Oh, that was too cheap! I feel ashamed now:p )
I am sorry, but I have never heard negative comments on any of the Scandinavian monarchs, au contraire with the British ones. I assume its petty tabloid gossip as opposed to any concrete truths about them?

That was Norwegian.
You mean I can quit cussing at the dictionary for not listing half of the words? The relief. I was running out of sources.

You mean I can quit cussing at the dictionary for not listing half of the words? The relief. I was running out of sources.

Annoying, no? Norwegian is a bit like bad Danish with a Swedish pronunciation, although you can hardly tell the difference in written text.

It's fully intentional. We can't all have an archaic monarchy where the Monarch actually has power and we have to listen to his inane babble, you know, like you do.

What little we had left of monarchic power went out of the governing loop in 1884. I'd thought you might know that, being Swede and all.

Since when have Norwegians been ashamed of being cheap? You flock to our side of the border like we were selling manna.

This is because you're so cheap. But in a different way.

Annoying, no? Norwegian is a bit like bad Danish with a Swedish pronunciation, although you can hardly tell the difference in written text.
*remembers envying all the Scandinavian exchange students for seeming to be able to communicate with each other with apparent easy and poor German me not having any language related enough to pull that off, too*

What little we had left of monarchic power went out of the governing loop in 1884.

Your constitution gives lie to that. (http://odin.dep.no/odin/engelsk/norway/system/032005-990424/) Look at all those first 48 articles. Quite scary, really.

This is because you're so cheap. But in a different way.

Yeah, the good kind of cheap, and not the stingy kind.

Annoying, no? Norwegian is a bit like bad Danish with a Swedish pronunciation, although you can hardly tell the difference in written text.
I have heard both Swedish and Norwegian, and to be honest I find Norwegian quite fine. It has a Viking undertone to it. I can't say which of the two I prefer though.

It has a Viking undertone to it.
A what, please?

Your constitution gives lie to that. (http://odin.dep.no/odin/engelsk/norway/system/032005-990424/) Look at all those first 48 articles. Quite scary, really.

I know. But even though that is in the constitution, it is in fact not the law. I don't know how to explain it in English, but there are several overrides to the constitution (which has remained more or less as it is since 1814,) so reading the constitution to know what is and isn't Norwegian law is futile. Personally, I don't see why they don't just change the constitution accordingly, but there you are.

Yeah, the good kind of cheap, and not the stingy kind.

Cheaper still on Norwegian salaries.

I have heard both Swedish and Norwegian, and to be honest I find Norwegian quite fine. It has a Viking undertone to it. I can't say which of the two I prefer though.

Norwegian is often described as "silly" to Swedish ears. Take the example of "barnehage" we saw earlier. It means "kindergarten," but a direct translation to Swedish becomes "child pasture." There are many more, like "fjerrsyn" for TV, which directly translated ends up meaning "distance sight."

We have a running joke about the Norwegians calling "bananas" "guleböj," which would mean "yellowy bend."

I know. But even though that is in the constitution, it is in fact not the law. I don't know how to explain it in English, but there are several overrides to the constitution (which has remained more or less as it is since 1814,) so reading the constitution to know what is and isn't Norwegian law is futile. Personally, I don't see why they don't just change the constitution accordingly, but there you are.

You just have to do everything in a roundabout fashion. Constitutions are usually, you know, like basic laws no other laws can contradict or change. It's part of something we call "constitutional democracy."

Cheaper still on Norwegian salaries.

Yeah, how are those prices of yours that eat at those salaries coming along?

There are many more, like "fjerrsyn" for TV, which directly translated ends up meaning "distance sight."
Um, tele vision, anybody? What's the Swedish word for TV, then?

Um, tele vision, anybody? What's the Swedish word for TV, then?

TV. Because "fjärrsyn" is just a stupid translation of the original term. Makes it sound as if it were binoculars or large glasses, or something. Really, something hicks would say. Like "horseless carriage."

You just have to do everything in a roundabout fashion. Constitutions are usually, you know, like basic laws no other laws can contradict or change. It's part of something we call "constitutional democracy."

I know. As I said, why we just leave it, I have no idea.

Yeah, how are those prices of yours that eat at those salaries coming along?

Quite well, actually. Compared to our salaries, Norway is a pretty cheap country to live in.

TV. Because "fjärrsyn" is just a stupid translation of the original term. Makes it sound as if it were binoculars or large glasses, or something.
Well, I'd say it's a correct translation, not a stupid one. I guess it depends on what you're used to, so I can see how that would sound weird when you've always only said TV. And I'm partial because in German it's "Fernsehen". Meaning - surprise - "distant sight". Whatever.

A what, please?
A Viking undertone.

Norwegian is often described as "silly" to Swedish ears. Take the example of "barnehage" we saw earlier. It means "kindergarten," but a direct translation to Swedish becomes "child pasture." There are many more, like "fjerrsyn" for TV, which directly translated ends up meaning "distance sight."

We have a running joke about the Norwegians calling "bananas" "guleböj," which would mean "yellowy bend."
All languages contain words which are idiotic. English being one of them. That doesn't ruin the language as a whole though. That said, I have been told that Norwegians can understand Swedes, but not vice versa, because apparently Swedish pronunciation is clearer.

I know. As I said, why we just leave it, I have no idea.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised at that, or the seemingly ineffective government style if that is the case. Our minister may have been right all along.

Quite well, actually. Compared to our salaries, Norway is a pretty cheap country to live in.

As all the border hoppers can attest to, I'm sure.

All languages contain words which are idiotic. English being one of them. That doesn't ruin the language as a whole though. That said, I have been told that Norwegians can understand Swedes, but not vice versa, because apparently Swedish pronunciation is clearer.

I've no problems understanding Norwegian, but it is different in different parts of the country, depending on what sort of dialect you are used to.

Well, I'd say it's a correct translation, not a stupid one. I guess it depends on what you're used to, so I can see how that would sound weird when you've always only said TV. And I'm partial because in German it's "Fernsehen". Meaning - surprise - "distant sight". Whatever.

As I wrote, it's a bit like calling a car a "horseless carriage" in English. Logically it makes since, since it is indeed a horseless carriage, but in our times, it's just silly to call it that.

As I wrote, it's a bit like calling a car a "horseless carriage" in English. Logically it makes since, since it is indeed a horseless carriage, but in our times, it's just silly to call it that.

I don't see how making words from what words already are in your language is any more or less silly than taking words as they are from other languages...

They do that with just about all words in Icelandic, and it sounds beautiful. They call television "sjónvarp", which literally means "sight throw".

I don't see how making words from what words already are in your language is any more or less silly than taking words as they are from other languages...

I believe I did write "to Swedish ears." You probably have examples of Swedish words that sound silly in a Norwegian context because of some sort of archaism, or unusual direct translation, or whatever, no?

Fjerrsyn and barnehage (seriously, "child pasture," come on!) just happen to be silly in Swedish.

Fjerrsyn and barnehage (seriously, "child pasture," come on!) just happen to be silly in Swedish.
Isn't kindergarten also equally ridiculous though? I am not sure how its usage came about, yet it literally means children's garden.

They do that with just about all words in Icelandic, and it sounds beautiful. They call television "sjónvarp", which literally means "sight throw".

And they do it with telephone, "sími" meaning "thread, string." Computer is called "tölva" which sort of means "numerical fortune teller." You're gonna tell me it's not silly when directly translated?

Isn't kindergarten also equally ridiculous though? I am not sure how its usage came about, yet it literally means children's garden.
Actually, it's more "children garden", as in, you know, a "rose garden" or something, making the image even the more ridiculous.
Yes, I *am* aware of the etymology making it quite different from an actual garden. Still.

Isn't kindergarten also equally ridiculous though? I am not sure how its usage came about, yet it literally means children's garden.

Garten is similar to the Swedish "gård," which means "yard," so it doesn't sound that silly in Swedish, but we call it "dagis" or "fritids."

Actually, it's more "children garden", as in, you know, a "rose garden" or something, making the image even the more ridiculous.
Yes, I *am* aware of the etymology making it quite different from an actual garden. Still.
Its use apparently dates back to ancient times, when people found the equivalent stage of schooling to be child's play, hence kindergarten. I am not sure when or where this happened though as the person who relayed the information also said that it was the Romans who did so, who incidentally never spoke any germanic language. Convenient.

Fjerrsyn and barnehage (seriously, "child pasture," come on!) just happen to be silly in Swedish.

It's not silly if you think of children as little sproglets that have to grow and mature before they can be uprooted and placed in society... Alright, that is a bit silly.

And they do it with telephone, "sími" meaning "thread, string." Computer is called "tölva" which sort of means "numerical fortune teller." You're gonna tell me it's not silly when directly translated?

I suppose, as you say, that it depends on the ear that hears. I think it's a great way to do it. Besides, Romans and ancient Greeks would probably be snickering if they heard all the silly names we have for stuff.

Anyway, the fortune teller in tölva is not just any fortune teller. It's from "töl" (numbers) and "völva", as in the witches who could, among other things, see the future in Norse mythology. Odin himself consulted one To them, fate was a complex system woven by the godesses of fate. Makes a bit more sense if you think of it like that, I think.

Sweden because the Swedish Chef comes from there

Bork! Bork! Bork

Its use apparently dates back to ancient times, when people found the equivalent stage of schooling to be child's play, hence kindergarten. I am not sure when or where this happened though as the person who relayed the information also said that it was the Romans who did so, who incidentally never spoke any germanic language. Convenient.
While not being 100% on the (US)English use of it, the German use of Kindergarten refers solely to a place for child's play. With us, it denotes the institution where young kids get to be before getting any schooling. Even though we are looking inot changing this, so far, Kindergarten has little to no educational function is mainly a place for the kids to be while the parents work.
And the etymology (of the garden part) goes back to the indo-european "gher" meaning an unspecified enclosure or shelter, and is also later derived from the German "hegen" which I'll take the freedom to lieberally translate as "to care for".

Popeleoma Del Signe']Sweden because the Swedish Chef comes from there

Bork! Bork! Bork

I was always curious, does Seasame Street (tm) have a Norwegian Chef?

And the etymology (of the garden part) goes back to the indo-european "gher" meaning an unspecified enclosure or shelter, and is also later derived from the German "hegen" which I'll take the freedom to lieberally translate as "to care for".
Well at least that would make more sense.

Um...yeah.

Anyhow, I have a retraction to make.

Finland has more bodies of water than Sweden. However, due to do certain legal definitions of lake, Sweden has more. But, since my definition of lake is any body of water that is not swiftly mvoing that I can fish in, Finland clearly has more.

Number of Lakes in Sweden x 3.5 = Numbers of Bodies of Water in Finland

I cannot recall the exact numbers, as I spoke to the resident geographer in Mariehamn, informal interview format.

Um...yeah.

Anyhow, I have a retraction to make.

Finland has more bodies of water than Sweden. However, due to do certain legal definitions of lake, Sweden has more. But, since my definition of lake is any body of water that is not swiftly mvoing that I can fish in, Finland clearly has more.

Number of Lakes in Sweden x 3.5 = Numbers of Bodies of Water in Finland

I cannot recall the exact numbers, as I spoke to the resident geographer in Mariehamn, informal interview format.

Yeah...I seem to recall that there was a survey of lakes done in the U.S. recently, and Texas came out on top. Not because they actually have many lakes...(IIRC, there are NO actual lakes in Texas), but because there are so many artificial ponds and so forth that are large enough to be considered lakes.

So man-made stuff may be throwing off the figures from wherever you're getting them.

Why did I say lakes? Now everyone is talking about lakes! :p

Why did I say lakes? Now everyone is talking about lakes! :p
Actually, I think its just me. The last five pages were about Nordic history and linguistics, which is great, but I missed it, and I really couldn't add anything, or even be remotely annoying. *sigh*

Actually, I think its just me. The last five pages were about Nordic history and linguistics, which is great, but I missed it, and I really couldn't add anything, or even be remotely annoying. *sigh*

I hope I haven't crossed the "remotely" part of "remotely annoying."

I hope I haven't crossed the "remotely" part of "remotely annoying."
I don't think you have. If that makes you feel better, you American born Swedish descendant. I'm distantly related to Nordic folk, we estimate 20+ generations back on my father's side. :p

Sweden

Pah. Who needs lakes when you have fjords and glaciers?

Also, I would like to add that Norway does (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/Kelvan/Norsketigere-tadenKenya.jpg), in fact, have tigers. Take that, Kenya!

Pah. Who needs lakes when you have fjords and glaciers?

Also, I would like to add that Norway does (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/Kelvan/Norsketigere-tadenKenya.jpg), in fact, have tigers. Take that, Kenya!
How would one say, "Viking Tigers" in Swedish (or whatever)?
I hate how nobody tutores me on this. Despite my requesting it.

"Vikinga tiger"?

How would one say, "Viking Tigers" in Swedish (or whatever)?
I hate how nobody tutores me on this. Despite my requesting it.

"Vikinga tiger"?

"Vikingtigre" in Norwegian, anyway.