NationStates Jolt Archive

Because apparently, in Europe, beating people bloody for disrespecting your team happens often. Here we look at it as "just a sport."

What, no riots after US sport games? Ever? Kat, I think you're lying to me. ;)

You haven't been on NSG long have you?

lmao, well, its not unexpected....But, still, it is screwy, lol...

And me with a grill? Don't I win by default over a baking pan? The dessert will be a problem, though...Kobe mince pie?

oh... the possibilities of baked meats... :D

What, no riots after US sport games? Ever? Kat, I think you're lying to me. ;)

Usually not by the Citizens.....The Players on the other hand, lol...


On the other hand, American Football requires them to beat eachother to a pulp in game, so fighting afterwards gets a tad pointless, lol...

Most kind, but there was no way you could have known. It isn't like I trumpet my inherent ability to be a target to the world.

Oh shit.

Well I know where you are coming from, pranks from peers are never fun if you are the target, but then again I find some harmless pranks from mates are alright. They know what my limits are though shaving my hair off would be going to far for me.

oh... the possibilities of baked meats... :D

I can't say I know that much about them.





What was the thread topic again?

In the 1980s and 1990s maybe. Things are a lot quieter now. If you want football violence, go to Russia or Italy.

Well I know where you are coming from, pranks from peers are never fun if you are the target, but then again I find some harmless pranks from mates are alright. They know what my limits are though shaving my hair off would be going to far for me.

See, and that's the kind of "prank" I see most of being a teacher. It's just not cool.

In the 1980s and 1990s maybe. Things are a lot quieter now. If you want football violence, go to Russia or Italy.

Those arent part of Europe :confused:

Yeah, that's a bit ironic, isn't it?

BRITS: You Yanks are WEIRD for worshiping that flag of yours.
YANKS: But you guys will put someone in the hospital for dissing a beloved football team -- that's somehow better, or not weird?
BRITS: *WHAP* before the Yank starts having a go at United, or Arsenal, or whatever

Fixed.

You know, I think you have.
You've got, in no particular order, American Football, Baseball, Basketball, Hollywood, Yale, Harward, the Dollar as world currency, the Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains, the Mississippi, Yellowstone, burgers, Coca Cola, ice tea, the Statue of Liberty, jazz, rock, rap, Ford, Walmart, Burger King, McDonalds and KFC... not all of them necessarily positive, but no country has the privilege of being purely positive.

There are many items and symbols you can identify with in the way other nations would (the Italians with the pasta, the Germans with their autobahns, the Irish with Guinness...).
Yet the item of choice of the US is something very abstract, and the veneration doesn't go to what it stands for, but to what it is. And that's ... well, unusual and difficult to fully understand.
Asking a New Yorker to be proud of Yellowstone is like asking a German to be proud of the Eiffel Tower. Asking a Californian to be proud of the Mississippi is like asking a person from Ireland to be proud of the the Louvre.

You simply don't understand that we're all different, with different cultures from region to region and state to state without even taking ethnicity into account, and that the flag and other national symbols are the few things we all accept as a symbol of our togetherness.

My Oxford dictionary doesn't report "Qwerty" as an english word.

Scrabble doesn't normally use the oxford dictionary, though -- it usually uses webster's. (although the players can, of course, agree to use something that's not a dictionary -- whether a novel, NSG, or even a collection or erotic ltierature!)

Those arent part of Europe :confused:

Are. Both.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe :rolleyes:
Geography 101, d'oh!

Asking a Californian to be proud of the Mississippi is like asking a person from Ireland to be proud of the the Louvre.

I hope she's proud of the Louvre....

Cause if not, That means California doesnt care about us :(

I can't say I know that much about them.





What was the thread topic again?:confused: I forget? was it something about looking at smilies? :D

Scrabble doesn't normally use the oxford dictionary, though -- it usually uses webster's. (although the players can, of course, agree to use something that's not a dictionary -- whether a novel, NSG, or even a collection or erotic ltierature!)

Poor Webster's.

See, and that's the kind of "prank" I see most of being a teacher. It's just not cool.

No it isn't cool, dressing a mate up in women's clothing because he passed out early is another thing that is alright for a laugh, and if you are just mates then even the guy being dressed up would even have a laugh before plotting revenge.

Scrabble doesn't normally use the oxford dictionary, though -- it usually uses webster's. (although the players can, of course, agree to use something that's not a dictionary -- whether a novel, NSG, or even a collection or erotic ltierature!)

Actually, Scrabble has its own Dictionary, and it takes words from multiple languages...Its fricken crazy.....I used to win when we used Webster's but then they bought the official Scrabble Dictionary....and, well, once my Sister can just make up words, that was the end for me, lol...

...and QWERTY is a specialized word related to the arrangement of keys in a standard keyboard, deriving from the first six letters in the second row of the keyboard.

Surely you're not saying that you think this highly specialized word follows the language rules for use of "q" in English?

http://www.phonicslessons.co.uk/englishspellingrules.html

I hope she's proud of the Louvre....

Cause if not, That means California doesnt care about us :(

I am proud of the Louvre... well, no, not proud as such, but I do like it. I appreciate it as a pan-European institution, with works of art from all over.

Really? You know, when I made that distinction a week ago in the Alternate History thread, I was told off for daring to say that it was NOT the UK we broke away from.

Irony.
You were using England, which is slightly different. But we did this in the other thread
Usually not by the Citizens.....The Players on the other hand, lol...

On the other hand, American Football requires them to beat eachother to a pulp in game, so fighting afterwards gets a tad pointless, lol...

Yeah, that's a bit ironic, isn't it?

BRITS: You Yanks are WEIRD for worshiping that flag of yours.
YANKS: But you guys will put someone in the hospital for dissing a beloved football team -- that's somehow better, or not weird?
BRITS: Yeah, well...bugger off, you.

Because apparently, in Europe, beating people bloody for disrespecting your team happens often. Here we look at it as "just a sport."

Yeah. In British terms you're solely talking about football and about 10-20 years out of date. Mainly because the police have clamped down on it to such an extent. It still happens (almost totally football related) on parts of the continent.

I am proud of the Louvre... well, no, not proud as such, but I do like it. I appreciate it as a pan-European institution, with works of art from all over.

Since a lot of what's in the Louvre comes out of Italy... yes... I think that the Louvre is part of Italy's pride, too. Even better, because is't a part of Italy we Italians cannot ruin!

Are. Both.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe :rolleyes:
Geography 101, d'oh!

Russia is iffy if I recall correctly. Part of it counts as Europe if I recall.

Well, I like the Mississippi River, but I don't swell up with pride when I see it. Neither, funny enough, do I spend my time going GOD! AREN'T WE LUCKY TO HAVE THIS WONDERFUL FLAG!

But the same way I'll get annoyed if you decide to paint graffiti on the side of my house, I'll be annoyed if you mess with my flag. Because obviously, it's a means of showing utter disrespect and disregard for the people to whom they are important. And that's what is really being asked: why do you react when we're being provoking?

I also wonder about the obsession other people around the world have with picking at the United States constantly. I don't think a week goes by on this site where I don't have to read something about how stupid, how fat, how lacking in culture, and ironically then how protective of their culture Americans are. Why? What's the attraction? Does it make people feel superior to make snide remarks? Is it a complete lack of manners, or is it a complete lack of self that drives this behavior? It's rather obnoxious, and while the US certainly has her faults, no where else is blemish free either.

So why decide to make yet another thread to ask why Americans don't like being picked at -- yet again?

I am proud of the Louvre... well, no, not proud as such, but I do like it. I appreciate it as a pan-European institution, with works of art from all over.

I imagine thats alot more than California cares about Mississippi, lol...ALOT more...

Well, I like the Mississippi River, but I don't swell up with pride when I see it.

tell you the truth...I dont either...Its a rather large river...yep....thats about it, lol...

I swelled up with pride when I saw the Statue of Liberty though......it quickly sank though when we actually got where we were going, cause it was almost nothing but Graffiti....I regret not having gotten to see the towers though...

Well, I like the Mississippi River, but I don't swell up with pride when I see it.

Well, no, but than I neither do that for a flag, either. :confused:

Actually, Scrabble has its own Dictionary, and it takes words from multiple languages...Its fricken crazy.....I used to win when we used Webster's but then they bought the official Scrabble Dictionary....and, well, once my Sister can just make up words, that was the end for me, lol...

NO KIDDING! That's some bullshit, too. I demand Webster's or some other dictionary of US English (unless we've got non-US English speakers playing) and NOT the Scrabble dictionary. We usually poke at those who use Scrabble's dictionary by making a house rule that demands the word be used in a sentence, or we cut the points scored in half. We're kinda bastards that way, but it keeps people from scoring a shit-ton by using "ai" or "oe" or some other two-letter bullshit for a connector to a bingo.

Yeah. In British terms you're solely talking about football and about 10-20 years out of date. Mainly because the police have clamped down on it to such an extent. It still happens (almost totally football related) on parts of the continent.

So? If it happened at all in recent history, it's relevant if you're going to make comparisons to US sports riots. Out of curiosity, can you name the last one here?

You know, I think you have.
You've got, in no particular order

The problem with the vast majority of the things in that list is that Americans don't have the frame of reference to know that those are uniquely American. That's another reason Americans lack an extraordinarily strong identity. Americans rarely leave the US, so they don't really see the differences between us and other places. In Europe international travel is easier and more common so those differences are widely known and internalized. Many of the soldiers I've been to Iraq with said it took a while for it to really click that they were in a different country and that things were done differently there.

And for a few of the specific examples here's why I really can't take them as points of "national pride".

the Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains, the Mississippi, Yellowstone

All of which are hundreds, if not thousands of miles from me in places rather more foreign to me than Toronto is.

the Statue of Liberty

To me that's more a symbol of NYC than of the US.

Ford

To me it's more a Michigan thing, but that's entirely due to geography and I can see where you're coming from with that. Still, the US doesn't swell up over "national champions" the way the French do. Perhaps 20 years ago, but not so much anymore.

A wog? Well that explains a lot more about you then.

... You know, I kinda wanna see where that was going.

Yeah. In British terms you're solely talking about football and about 10-20 years out of date. Mainly because the police have clamped down on it to such an extent. It still happens (almost totally football related) on parts of the continent.

You're not even allowed to stand at British football stadiums any more. :mad:

Well, no, but than I neither do that for a flag, either. :confused:...Your sentence structure is confusing to me, but it seems to me that you're saying that you don't hold your country's flag in the same kind of respect that (US)Americans do ours. That doesn't seem like an apt comparison. Have you ever been to the US?

So? If it happened at all in recent history, it's relevant if you're going to make comparisons to US sports riots. Out of curiosity, can you name the last one here?
Except we aren't. It was brought up as a point comparing attachment to sports teams and flags.

You're not even allowed to stand at British football stadiums any more. :mad:
That wasn't due to rioting though. Most of that was down to the Hillsborough disaster where people were crushed to death because too many fans tried to get in to too small an area and people got crushed to death.

You're not even allowed to stand at British football stadiums any more. :mad:

Welll...since we cant trust you not to riot when you do :p

That wasn't due to rioting though. Most of that was down to the Hillsborough disaster where people were crushed to death because too many fans tried to get in to too small an area and people got crushed to death.

Yeah, that's true. Wouldn't make more sense to use the system we use here in Australia? You're allowed to stand, but you still get allocated a seat.

Except we aren't. It was brought up as a point comparing attachment to sports teams and flags.

Correct, my bad.

However, the fanatical devotion is just as odd, regardless of whether it's tapered off. You can't point at flag worship without pot-and-kettle.

Well, no, but than I neither do that for a flag, either. :confused:
Keep saying that -- it doesn't mean Americans do either. Just confirms my opinion of the reason for these threads.

Keep saying that -- it doesn't mean Americans do either. Just confirms my opinion of the reason for these threads.I'm not sure about it, yet. Why would you waste time creating a thread about it on NSG? There are so many more interesting things to do.

You're not even allowed to stand at British football stadiums any more. :mad:
We can in the US. D'ya think that indicates that a problem with violence in the stands occurred often in the UK, but not in the US?

Keep saying that -- it doesn't mean Americans do either. Just confirms my opinion of the reason for these threads.

Given that we were several pages in of Americans justifying it I don't think it's an unreasonable observation to make. Up until the late stages there was general agreement that Americans did have a closer attachment to their flag.

Yeah, that's true. Wouldn't make more sense to use the system we use here in Australia? You're allowed to stand, but you still get allocated a seat.

Wait.....They had people going there and just standing, like, without actual seats? :confused: Thats just stupid, lol...

I'm not sure about it, yet. Why would you waste time creating a thread about it on NSG? There are so many more interesting things to do.
Beats me. Just peruse the forums to see how much time is devoted to it, though.

Keep saying that -- it doesn't mean Americans do either. Just confirms my opinion of the reason for these threads.
I'm not sure how many threads you're talking about, I've only started this one.
And as for my reasons, I've stated them often enough, after all...

We can in the US. D'ya think that indicates that a problem with violence in the stands occurred often in the UK, but not in the US?

Only if you don't know the reason they instituted all-seater stadiums in the UK. (Again this is solely in soccer/football stadiums, you can still stand in other sporting stadia (I'm hedging my bets on the rights plural term)). Hooliganism and violence is almost totally a football/soccer problem rather than an overall sporting problem.

I'm not sure about it, yet. Why would you waste time creating a thread about it on NSG? There are so many more interesting things to do.

You're asking why people waste their time on NSG? How long have you been here?

We can in the US. D'ya think that indicates that a problem with violence in the stands occurred often in the UK, but not in the US?

Actually, like the other guy said, it probably has more to do with preventing crushes.

Wait.....They had people going there and just standing, like, without actual seats? :confused: Thats just stupid, lol...

Traditionally, you stand at the football. Older stadiums usually have terrace areas with no seats.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2796521953_886a9ab1ea.jpg?v=0

Only if you don't know the reason they instituted all-seater stadiums in the UK. (Again this is solely in soccer/football stadiums, you can still stand in other sporting stadia (I'm hedging my bets on the rights plural term)). Hooliganism and violence is almost totally a football/soccer problem rather than an overall sporting problem.

Plus, football is far, far away the most popular sport in the UK, so if there's going to be a crowd crush at a game, it'll be at the football.

Actually, like the other guy said, it probably has more to do with preventing crushes.



Traditionally, you stand at the football. Older stadiums usually have terrace areas with no seats.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2796521953_886a9ab1ea.jpg?v=0

Wow...Well, I certainly understand how people were getting crushed, thats just crazy, lol...

I'm not sure about it, yet. Why would you waste time creating a thread about it on NSG? There are so many more interesting things to do.

Can you tell me where else I could have asked that question, and have that many USAmericans reply?
I wouldn't say it was a waste of time, on the contrary. Some very, very interesting points were made, not least by yourself, which helped me getting a better understanding for what to me before seemed an odd overreation.
Most of what's been posted was a lot of dribble, but this being NSG I expected that and ignored it. I didn't mean to pick a fight, although a lot of posters seem to find my question quite offensive apparently.
Thanks for taking the time to acutally think about the question and provide a serious answer, rather than posting shallow commonplaces. I honestly do appreciate it, probably more than would appear from my posts.

Traditionally, you stand at the football. Older stadiums usually have terrace areas with no seats.
Just satisfy my curiosity, where's that picture from? It looks vaguely familiar. Probably coincidental but..

Beats me. Just peruse the forums to see how much time is devoted to it, though.I have, on several occasions. It's...interesting.

You're asking why people waste their time on NSG? How long have you been here?I was being facetious.

I was being facetious.

We need to petition the mods for a facetious smiley, along with a sarcasm one.

Just satisfy my curiosity, where's that picture from? It looks vaguely familiar. Probably coincidental but..

No idea, sorry. I just googled up an example.

EDIT: Apparently it's Twerton Park, Bath.

No idea, sorry. I just googled up an example.

EDIT: Apparently it's Twerton Park, Bath.

Ah, just similarity then. Thanks though, would've driven me mad otherwise.

We need to petition the mods for a facetious smiley, along with a sarcasm one.Somebody should start a topic about it in the mod forum. Any volunteers? :D

Somebody should start a topic about it in the mod forum. Any volunteers? :D

I choose you to do it.:D

Somebody should start a topic about it in the mod forum. Any volunteers? :D

We should have a competition to add smileys.

I submit http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y107/TP4CCCC/emo-shit.gif and http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y107/TP4CCCC/emo-noadd.gif

I feel these could be well used in so many threads.

I choose you to do it.:D...Alright.

Now accepting submissions. :pRetroactive.

... You know, I kinda wanna see where that was going.

See where what was going?

See where what was going?

A wog? Well that explains a lot more about you then.

That.

This ... Sarkhaan (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=14432225#post14432225) tells it like it is.

That.

Just how you act on here FeO, don't get me wrong I reckon I could be buying rounds for you but you certainly remind me of a few other wogs I know.

We should have a competition to add smileys.

I submit http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y107/TP4CCCC/emo-shit.gif and http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y107/TP4CCCC/emo-noadd.gif

I feel these could be well used in so many threads.

I think this is the most needed smiley on these forums.

http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-suicide.gif

and this

http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-words.gif

Just how you act on here FeO, don't get me wrong I reckon I could be buying rounds for you but you certainly remind me of a few other wogs I know.

I don't know how FeO is reacting, but I'm sure on the verge of "getting you wrong". It's hard to read that without getting a negative implication. Cut it out.

Just how you act on here FeO, don't get me wrong I reckon I could be buying rounds for you but you certainly remind me of a few other wogs I know.

I'm desperately hoping there's another meaning for 'wog' that isn't the racial slur.

I'm desperately hoping there's another meaning for 'wog' that isn't the racial slur.

Its also the rating on a valve, meaning Water-Oil-Gas, but I don't think that's what he was after.

The children of Australia's post-war immigration flood reclaimed the word "wog" the way gays reclaimed the word "queer". It can be used in friendship or pride.

The word was prominently used in the popular early 1990s stage show Wogs Out of Work, created by Greek-Australian Nick Giannopoulos and Spanish-Australian Simon Palomares. The production was followed on television with Acropolis Now, starring Giannopoulos, Palomares, George Kapiniaris and Mary Coustas, and in film with The Wog Boy.

Nevertheless, the term remains quite offensive to a lot of people in Australia, particularly people of Mediterranean origin who grew up in Australia during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s as it was still very much an ethnic slur or insult.

Emphasis added.

I think BE is of a more recent generation. But it's still at the stage where it's okay to say "us wogs", but it's not to say "you wogs" to anyone but very good friends.

Oh, and there's an older meaning, "undefined illness" -- as in, "Can't go to work, I've got the wog" -- but that's less common.

I friend remembers his schooldays when a girl explained her absence saying that she was in bed with a wog.
He called out, "What was his name?"

The children of Australia's post-war immigration flood reclaimed the word "wog" the way gays reclaimed the word "queer". It can be used in friendship or pride.



Emphasis added.

I think BE is of a more recent generation. But it's still at the stage where it's okay to say "us wogs", but it's not to say "you wogs" to anyone but very good friends.

Oh, and there's an older meaning, "undefined illness" -- as in, "Can't go to work, I've got the wog" -- but that's less common.

Suffice to say in the UK, it's still considered offensive.

I don't know how FeO is reacting, but I'm sure on the verge of "getting you wrong". It's hard to read that without getting a negative implication. Cut it out.

No, it's cool. I just wanted to see what he meant.

You can't point at flag worship without pot-and-kettle.

There you go with the cooking thing again. Eat before you post, durn it!

There you go with the cooking thing again. Eat before you post, durn it!Somebody's hungry, huh? :p

I've recently seen an old episode of QI, in which Stephen Fry (or Alan Davis, I can't remember right now) tells this story about when he was in the Boy Scouts and went to this international convention-camp.
Apparently, the US delegation had their tents right next to the British scouts. The US scouts would - with great pomp and serenity - put up their flag each morning, and take it down every night.
At first, that greatly amused the British scouts.
After a while, the pomp and seriousness became annoying. So one day, they stole the flag and hid it. This, apparently, almost led to an international incident. The US scouts took it very badly, and with quite exaggerated reaction, as it seemed to the Brits. After all, it was just a practically useless piece of cloth that had been nicked, nothing even remotely serious. Nobody had been glued to the latrines, or doused in icy water.

The panel agreed that they simply couldn't comprehend the reaction - or the USAmericans' over-attachement to that flag of theirs.
So what is it? Why do they feel so strongly about it? As flags go, it's not even a particularly pretty one... not to ugliest, but not the prettiest, either. So why all the outrage over it getting burned now and again (which, it has to be said, is the only reason why it DOES get burned in the first place), why the teary eyes and the pompous music when pulling it up a flag pole? What's this about?

Yeah I can understand how foreigners stealing the US flag would make my countrymen go apes**t. We take our flag seriously. Next to the actual documents of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, our flag is probably the most "sacred" of patriotic objects.

I know that our flag is not the prettiest but that is not the point. It is our symbol and we take it very seriously. The Scouts were following proper US flag protocol.

We don't really give a shit about our flag, as evident by all the people that had to go out and buy an American flag to fly after September 11th. Or on the more personal, the guy across the street who built a huge, fucking flag pole with a light pointed at the flag, so he'd never have to bother with that whole 'taking it down, folding it, raising it' thing.

Let's face it, we don't have anything that's a symbol of the USA, other than the flag. Therefore, we put a lot of importance on it.

Yeah I can understand how foreigners stealing the US flag would make my countrymen go apes**t. We take our flag seriously. Next to the actual documents of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, our flag is probably the most "sacred" of patriotic objects.

I know that our flag is not the prettiest but that is not the point. It is our symbol and we take it very seriously. The Scouts were following proper US flag protocol.

Who is this "we" you keep refering to?

Its because Americans are insular, most of them have never left the state they were born in let alone ventured abroad. Isolation can lead to one taking themselves far to seriously, something we Brits have never suffered from.

Its because Americans are insular, most of them have never left the state they were born in let alone ventured abroad. Isolation can lead to one taking themselves far to seriously, something we Brits have never suffered from.How is the weather in Generalizationland?

We'd string you up by the balls and brand ya bum if stole the Aussie flag, but we'd buy you a beer afterwards, we're good people like that

Its because Americans are insular, most of them have never left the state they were born in let alone ventured abroad. Isolation can lead to one taking themselves far to seriously, something we Brits have never suffered from.

I question how accurate this statement is. I think its something foreigners like to toss around to make themselves feel superior.

How is the identity in all of your sorry lands without History. Shove your flag up your ass.

How is the identity in all of your sorry lands without History. Shove your flag up your ass.

Nice.

Could be ok if it had real substance

How is the identity in all of your sorry lands without History. Shove your flag up your ass.

I am assuming you are trying to say the rest of the world is devoid of history, I only extricated the meaning because I am used to helping children with learning disabilities. I am reasonably certain the couple hundred years of US history doesn't hold a candle to thousands of years of European, Asian, Middle Eastern civilisation

How is the identity in all of your sorry lands without History. Shove your flag up your ass.See, your fake country lacked the succinctness of mine.

And I'd rather not.

I am assuming you are trying to say the rest of the world is devoid of history, I only extricated the meaning because I am used to helping children with learning disabilities. I am reasonably certain the couple hundred years of US history doesn't hold a candle to thousands of years of European, Asian, Middle Eastern civilisation

I think it was actually a shot at the US

Say son can you see by the dawns early light; written by a soon to be defeated man adopted by the US of A as important.

rotovia you have (the us) neglegted your own history in fact genocide springs to mind

Say son can you see by the dawns early light; written by a soon to be defeated man adopted by the US of A as important.

Dude, we cant even understand what your saying. To be an effective troll, you normally need to be...understood.

Say son can you see by the dawns early light; written by a soon to be defeated man adopted by the US of A as important.Are you trying to make progressively less sense with each post? If so, you are succeeding miraculously!

rotovia you have (the us) neglegted your own history in fact genocide springs to mind

Huh? Whose history? The US has committed genocide too. Learn what happened to the Natives.

I think it was actually a shot at the US

It kind of had more the feeling of a retarded circle jerk

Yes indeed that is my point, as you all sit and take the world sooooo seriously. Say SON CAN YOU SEE!!!

It kind of had more the feeling of a retarded circle jerkThat sentence describes NSG perfectly.

you belong nowhere goodnight.

Yes indeed that is my point, as you all sit and take the world sooooo seriously. Say SON CAN YOU SEE!!!

l2troll plz

you belong nowhere goodnight.Come back sober next time. Toodles!

Beggeroff warned for trolling. Everyone else ... sigh. Please don't feed 'em.

Do you feel like you're a member of the Country Fire Authority, Ardy. (Putting out spot fires in a heat wave?)
FYI guys Melbourne is having a whole week of temperatures around 40 degrees celsius.

FYI guys Melbourne is having a whole week of temperatures around 40 degrees celsius.

I saw that on a tennis match on TV. I prefer the -9 it is here.

Yup the tennis players have been dropping like flies in this heat.

By the way, many people may try to deny this , but the Star Spangled banner is a pretty aesthically-designed flag. Red, white and blue is an attractive colour scheme and the fifty white stars on a blue back ground is a good contrats with the red and white stripes. The national anthem is a pretty memorable number too. (Australia's "Advance Australia Fair" can be called "robust" at best)

(Australia's "Advance Australia Fair" can be called "robust" at best)

But we're girt by sea. We're the girtest!

I don't know how FeO is reacting, but I'm sure on the verge of "getting you wrong". It's hard to read that without getting a negative implication. Cut it out.

Yeah sure thing, I will keep it down.

I'm desperately hoping there's another meaning for 'wog' that isn't the racial slur.

Look, it isn't neccessary used as a racial slur, but can be used also as just a term to describe what he is, similar to saying he is Italian, which could also be used as a racial slur. But considering that FeO used the term first it is hardly a big deal.

The children of Australia's post-war immigration flood reclaimed the word "wog" the way gays reclaimed the word "queer". It can be used in friendship or pride.
Emphasis added.

I think BE is of a more recent generation. But it's still at the stage where it's okay to say "us wogs", but it's not to say "you wogs" to anyone but very good friends.

Oh, and there's an older meaning, "undefined illness" -- as in, "Can't go to work, I've got the wog" -- but that's less common.

Yeah that's true Ard, I have a few frineds which I would call wogs simply because that is what they are, and as I say FeO brought it up so I assumed he wasn't going to get to bad about it. As I said FeO still seems like the type of guy I could share a beer with even if I don't agree with everything he says.

Do you feel like you're a member of the Country Fire Authority, Ardy. (Putting out spot fires in a heat wave?)
FYI guys Melbourne is having a whole week of temperatures around 40 degrees celsius.

Your not the only city to be getting it mate. I had to work in the heat today and it got up to 47 in the suburb I was in.

Look, it isn't neccessary used as a racial slur, but can be used also as just a term to describe what he is, similar to saying he is Italian, which could also be used as a racial slur. But considering that FeO used the term first it is hardly a big deal.


Fair enough, but if you ever come to the UK, I wouldn't use it if I were you.

These aren't the average American patriots we're talking about here, these are the motherfucking Boy Scouts of America. As an ex-scout (I was kicked out), I can say they take their flag, uniform and ceremonies very seriously..


Ah, but the important thing is, do they help grandmothers across a busy road, with the preference they stop the traffic first?


If Brits want to start comparing the stupidity of national symbols, at least flags don't require national salaries or make nationally embarrassing statements.

Yes, but it's all harmless fun, you understand, the royals you refer to. For all their inbredness and stupidity, for all their humorous statements and blatant racism and lustings for women who look like horses about to be shot after a nasty fall at The Grand National, they are quite harmless. Harmless as in they no longer have the ability to command armies to go gallivanting on wars of conquest and blood-letting half way around the world.

Unlike a certain recent leader of similar absurd character who recently left his post after eight years.


As for the nationalistic sentiments around the American flag, from what I have seen of the way some Americans treat it, it's not just a quiet proudness of their country's flag you seem them feel, it's downright dangerous ultra-nationalism, hysterical and rabid in nature.

Fair enough, but if you ever come to the UK, I wouldn't use it if I were you.

I'll remember that. And I am sure not just because it is illegal.

I am an American citizen and can sum it up in four words: Damned if I know.

This.

But we're girt by sea. We're the girtest!

I wonder if anyone, in casual conversation, since the 1920's has described Australia being 'girt'?

Anyway, I find it a little creepy when my fellow countrypeople decide that wearing the flag is a fantastic idea.

*Goes back to the insufferable heat*

I wonder if anyone, in casual conversation, since the 1920's has described Australia being 'girt'?

Yeah but surrondered dosen't fit in with the tune.

Anyway, I find it a little creepy when my fellow countrypeople decide that wearing the flag is a fantastic idea.

Why? And do you mean a flag or something along the lines of a t-shirt with the flag on it?

*Goes back to the insufferable heat*

When will it end.

I've recently seen an old episode of QI, in which Stephen Fry (or Alan Davis, I can't remember right now) tells this story about when he was in the Boy Scouts and went to this international convention-camp.
Apparently, the US delegation had their tents right next to the British scouts. The US scouts would - with great pomp and serenity - put up their flag each morning, and take it down every night.
At first, that greatly amused the British scouts.
After a while, the pomp and seriousness became annoying. So one day, they stole the flag and hid it. This, apparently, almost led to an international incident. The US scouts took it very badly, and with quite exaggerated reaction, as it seemed to the Brits. After all, it was just a practically useless piece of cloth that had been nicked, nothing even remotely serious. Nobody had been glued to the latrines, or doused in icy water.

The panel agreed that they simply couldn't comprehend the reaction - or the USAmericans' over-attachement to that flag of theirs.
So what is it? Why do they feel so strongly about it? As flags go, it's not even a particularly pretty one... not to ugliest, but not the prettiest, either. So why all the outrage over it getting burned now and again (which, it has to be said, is the only reason why it DOES get burned in the first place), why the teary eyes and the pompous music when pulling it up a flag pole? What's this about?

The American flag is the symbol of our people, our nation, and our way of life. It represents everything that America and its people stand for, and the constitution which we so piously defend (particularly with us military folk). Maybe you Euros can't comprehend this, but to Americans, our flag is representative of our country in every respect. Defacing our flag, removing it from its place on the flag pole, or in any way, shape, or form disrespecting it is greatly offensive to us and our entire nation.

Maybe that explains why we're so "irrational" about the way our flag is treated. Would you not be offended if I, an American, tore your flag down?

The American flag is the symbol of our people, our nation, and our way of life. It represents everything that America and its people stand for, and the constitution which we so piously defend (particularly with us military folk). Maybe you Euros can't comprehend this, but to Americans, our flag is representative of our country in every respect. Defacing our flag, removing it from its place on the flag pole, or in any way, shape, or form disrespecting it is greatly offensive to us and our entire nation.

Maybe that explains why we're so "irrational" about the way our flag is treated. Would you not be offended if I, an American, tore your flag down?

Well, no. It's a symbol, not the real thing. So why choose to be offended?

Oh, and I'm European, a Euro is a unit of currency.

Well, no. It's a symbol, not the real thing. So why choose to be offended?

To us it IS the real thing. It is a physical manifestation of our national pride.

Well, no. It's a symbol, not the real thing. So why choose to be offended?

Oh, and I'm European, a Euro is a unit of currency.

In America, a "Euro", when not being referred to in the sense of currency, is a descriptive term for those living on the continent. And it is generally supposed to be derogatory. I was not necessarily meaning it in that sense though.

To us it IS the real thing. It is a physical manifestation of our national pride.

Ok, so what's your opinion? Why do USAmericans require such a physical manifestation?

In America, a "Euro", when not being referred to in the sense of currency, is a descriptive term for those living on the continent

It is? Nobody told me. I should check my fax machine more often.

Ok, so what's your opinion? Why do USAmericans require such a physical manifestation?

My question, is why you refer to us as "USAmericans"...why not as Americans, which is what we are? That is the accepted vernacular. Anyhow, to answer your question: Americans are exceptionally nationalistic people, more so than probably any other nation, save perhaps most Far East Asian cultures who probably beat us ten fold. Having been across the world, I've seen few people who are remotely close to being as ultra-nationalistic as your typical American. Why do we need a manifestation? I honestly do not know, its just drilled into us all throughout school. Every morning we're instructed to stand, face the flag, place our hand over our hearts, and pledge our allegaince to it, every day, without exception. Many schools even play the national anthem immediately afterwards. So, we're brought up to be patriotic and love our country. We're also informed that the flag is symbolic of our revolution, our nation, and especially our constitution to which we should be ready at any time to fight for. Now, again, I'm a tad different from your run of the mill American, because of my background, but many Americans would tend to agree with me on this case. And even the ones who don't will confess about the "brainwashing" as children to be patriots. *shrug* its just the way we're raised, but I'm damn proud of it.

In America, a "Euro", when not being referred to in the sense of currency, is a descriptive term for those living on the continent. And it is generally supposed to be derogatory. I was not necessarily meaning it in that sense though.

http://www.dubspeedracing.com/photopost/data/685/lolwut.jpg

It is? Nobody told me. I should check my fax machine more often.

Where this sailor's from it is. Everyone I know negatively refers to Europeans as "the damn Euros".

-snip-

Well aren't you clever.

My question, is why you refer to us as "USAmericans"...why not as Americans, which is what we are? That is the accepted vernacular. Anyhow, to answer your question: Americans are exceptionally nationalistic people, more so than probably any other nation, save perhaps most Far East Asian cultures who probably beat us ten fold. Having been across the world, I've seen few people who are remotely close to being as ultra-nationalistic as your typical American. Why do we need a manifestation? I honestly do not know, its just drilled into us all throughout school. Every morning we're instructed to stand, face the flag, place our hand over our hearts, and pledge our allegaince to it, every day, without exception. Many schools even play the national anthem immediately afterwards. So, we're brought up to be patriotic and love our country. We're also informed that the flag is symbolic of our revolution, our nation, and especially our constitution to which we should be ready at any time to fight for. Now, again, I'm a tad different from your run of the mill American, because of my background, but many Americans would tend to agree with me on this case. And even the ones who don't will confess about the "brainwashing" as children to be patriots. *shrug* its just the way we're raised, but I'm damn proud of it.

Because that's what the word you use when you want to make it clear that you talk about citizens of the USA, not generally Americans.

I'm aware that this level of patriotism is taught. However, somebody at one point somewhere in the past must have decided to teach it to kids. And in this thread, I'm trying to get an perspective on what the motivation of this person or persons might have been, and why their policies are still being carried out today.

Where this sailor's from it is. Everyone I know negatively refers to Europeans as "the damn Euros".

But you meant this ad hominem as non-derogatory? How sweet of you.

Yeah but surrondered dosen't fit in with the tune.
What, "Surrounded by sea, with islands containing different countries being in that sea" doesn't seamlessly fit into it? :p

Why? And do you mean a flag or something along the lines of a t-shirt with the flag on it?
I find it strange, as if the flag somehow makes you more supportive. It also doesn't help that I don't like excessive nationalism either (which is probably the main reason why I don't like it).

Picture on shirt - odd, though tolerable for no reason than to identify which country you're from.

Wearing the flag itself - really odd, as if the flag magically makes you supporter number 1. It doesn't help that the freaky shouting supporters/freaky people wandering around tend to be the flag-wearers.

When will it end.
Saturday night?

Because that's what the word you use when you want to make it clear that you talk about citizens of the USA, not generally Americans.



American refers to a citizen of the USA.

American does NOT mean refer to anybody else except people from the USA.

There are the continents North America and South America. There is no continent named America.

American= someone from the USA.

Because that's what the word you use when you want to make it clear that you talk about citizens of the USA, not generally Americans.

I'm aware that this level of patriotism is taught. However, somebody at one point somewhere in the past must have decided to teach it to kids. And in this thread, I'm trying to get an perspective on what the motivation of this person or persons might have been, and why their policies are still being carried out today.

Alot of it comes from the early 1800s, with us being paranoid about having the same culture as the British. Hence, us developing our own "dialect" of english (changing spellings basically) with I BELIEVE the Mariam Webster dictionary (I might be wrong on that, but I believe that was the one), and several other things. I suppose it just kind of built on itself from there.

American refers to a citizen of the USA.

American does NOT mean refer to anybody else except people from the USA.

There are the continents North America and South America. There is no continent named America.

American= someone from the USA.

Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/american)


I thought this might help you a bit.

What, "Surrounded by sea, with islands containing different countries being in that sea" doesn't seamlessly fit into it? :p

*Starts signing*

Not quite. :)


I find it strange, as if the flag somehow makes you more supportive. It also doesn't help that I don't like excessive nationalism either (which is probably the main reason why I don't like it).

Picture on shirt - odd, though tolerable for no reason than to identify which country you're from.

Wearing the flag itself - really odd, as if the flag magically makes you supporter number 1. It doesn't help that the freaky shouting supporters/freaky people wandering around tend to be the flag-wearers.

Ok, now it somehow makes you more supportive? More supportive than what? It doesn't mean you are less supportive because you don't wear it but it does show that you are proud and happy to be a member of the Commonwealth.. You also mention nationalism, it is not always the case while some people maybe nationalists that is not to say that most and all are nationalists simply because they enjoy wearing something with the flag on it. Does it make them patriotic (note, just because you aren't wearing it doesn't mean you aren't patriotic) then yes it may mean that. And yes there is a difference between patriotism and nationalism.

Saturday night?

I wish it was, lucky you if it is.

Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/american)


I thought this might help you a bit.

Oh for fuck's sake please not again.

Look you are both right, if I was to say he is American it would mean that he could be from the USA or he could be from one of the two continents.

Why must this always happen?

But I have never met anyone who has said they are an Untied States of American before.

American refers to a citizen of the USA.

American does NOT mean refer to anybody else except people from the USA.

There are the continents North America and South America. There is no continent named America.

American= someone from the USA.

An American (http://www.yourdictionary.com/american) is anyone who was born and lives in either North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. These were named the Americas, in honor of Americo Vespucci, who designed the maps that region.

Oh for fuck's sake please not again.

Look you are both right, if I was to say he is American it would mean that he could be from the USA or he could be from one of the two continents.

Why must this always happen?

But I have never met anyone who has said they are an Untied States of American before.

Search me... I tend to go for the most clearly defined word here, so as to avoid confusion and Canadians telling me that this all doesn't apply to them. I think if you're asking a question, it's only polite to be as precise as possible.

I'm not sure why some US citizens take this as offensive...

Ooh! There you go again Nanatsu. Bringing facts into the argument!

How come Amerigo and Columbus did all the exploring (and got named a lot) but Cortez and Pissaro got all the gold?

Hmmm! The glory or the gold....

Search me... I tend to go for the most clearly defined word here, so as to avoid confusion and Canadians telling me that this all doesn't apply to them. I think if you're asking a question, it's only polite to be as precise as possible.

I'm not sure why some US citizens take this as offensive...

Perhaps the Canadians should relise that if we decide to talk about them we will use the term Canadian for them.

I don't it's hot here and I don't like it

Ooh! There you go again Nanatsu. Breaking facts into the argument!

And that's bad? How?:rolleyes:

You also mention nationalism, it is not always the case while some people maybe nationalists that is not to say that most and all are nationalists simply because they enjoy wearing something with the flag on it.
But they ruin it for me...

And yes there is a difference between patriotism and nationalism.
I agree with that, though I wasn't talking about patriotism (though that is also ridiculous when taken to the extreme).

Perhaps the Canadians should relise that if we decide to talk about them we will use the term Canadian for them.

I don't it's hot here and I don't like it

Yes, but what if I was talking about American? That would include Canadians, Mexicans, Venezuelans, the whole lot.
I'm not, so I'm trying to be clear by using a clear and unambiguous term.

Blouman, I enjoyed your creative spelling - the untied states. It made me think of American disunity. The American Civil War was a perfect example of the Untied States.

Interesting how untied and united are virtual opposites. Lexiconography is fascinating.

But they ruin it for me...

Why let other people ruin your good time?

I agree with that, though I wasn't talking about patriotism (though that is also ridiculous when taken to the extreme).

Yes I know but I was just pointing out just because they have flag on them doesn't mean they are nationalists. And isn't patriotism taken to the extreme nationalism?

How come Amerigo and Columbus did all the exploring (and got named a lot) but Cortez and Pissaro got all the gold?
Cortez and Pissaro had enough people to shoot the natives and carry away the gold?
Perhaps the Canadians should relise that if we decide to talk about them we will use the term Canadian for them.
Then why use the term 'American' for U.S.A people?

Blouman, I enjoyed your creative spelling - the untied states. It made me think of American disunity. The American Civil War was a perfect example of the Untied States.

Interesting how untied and united are virtual opposites. Lexiconography is fascinating.

lol, dude you know perfectly well that it is 3 in the morning here and I may have a few dodgy words but nethertheless is there such a thing as a United States of American?

Then why use the term 'American' for U.S.A people?

Gee, dude I don't know it might have something to do with the word America in the name of the country.

Why call us Australians why don't we call ourselves Commonwealth's?

Yes, but what if I was talking about American? That would include Canadians, Mexicans, Venezuelans, the whole lot.
I'm not, so I'm trying to be clear by using a clear and unambiguous term.

I am sure that it would be made clear in the rest of your post. After all it is not as though the two continents have a unifying flag.

I am sure that it would be made clear in the rest of your post. After all it is not as though the two continents have a unifying flag.

I'm not that happy to rely on context to convey my meaning, sorry.

Why let other people ruin your good time?
Because I let them?

Yes I know but I was just pointing out just because they have flag on them doesn't mean they are nationalists. And isn't patriotism taken to the extreme nationalism?
The people who tend to be freaky are also the ones in the flag wearing group, though I didn't say they were the majority.

Patriotism when taken to the extreme doesn't have to be nationalism, though at that stage they probably do share a lot of features. I'm also annoyed at moderate patriotism as well. :p

Gee, dude I don't know it might have something to do with the word America in the name of the country.

Why call us Australians why don't we call ourselves Commonwealth's?
I would love to be called a Commonwealther!

It also helps that there is only one country in Australia (landmass)...

Because I let them?

Yeah man wear the flag if you want to.

The people who tend to be freaky are also the ones in the flag wearing group, though I didn't say they were the majority.

Patriotism when taken to the extreme doesn't have to be nationalism, though at that stage they probably do share a lot of features. I'm also annoyed at moderate patriotism as well. :p

Ok but just so you know that just because one is wearing an item of clothing that has the flag on it or has the flag flying at their house doesn't mean they are nationalists.

Well what is patriotism taken to the extreme?

You're just annoyed at anyone who expresses love for their country aren't you? :)

I would love to be called a Commonwealther!

It also helps that there is only one Australia...

It makes no sense though.

Well technically there is only one country with America in its name as well :)

An American (http://www.yourdictionary.com/american) is anyone who was born and lives in either North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. These were named the Americas, in honor of Americo Vespucci, who designed the maps that region.

No. An American is someone from the United States. I don't give a fuck what the dictionary says. My ex-girlfriend from South America doesn't refer to herself as an American. She calls herself Ecuadorian.

I'm not that happy to rely on context to convey my meaning, sorry.

Ok, sure but United States of American sounds very weird

No. An American is someone from the United States. I don't give a fuck what the dictionary says. My ex-girlfriend from South America doesn't refer to herself as an American. She calls herself Ecuadorian.

So the rest of the world should comply to your girlfriend, rather than the dictionary? :rolleyes:

Ok, sure but United States of American sounds very weird

I vary it with citizen of the US, but that's not always possible grammatically.

Yeah, the heat woke me up so I'm fairly fresh.

This debate made me think of the Monroe Doctrine which I learnt in Year 11 at school (Ferrous claims he went to a school where he didn't learn this stuff). Basically, President Monroe saw the U.S.A's sphere of influence as being The Americas and maintained that theU.S. should stay out of European conflicts. This idea underpinning U.S. Foreign Policy held up until Pearl Harbor whenthe U.S. reluctantly assumed the role of world superpower and 'policeman" of Europe and the rest of the world. Pax Americana and all that.
So where am I going with all this....Monroe saw the Americas as America's backyard. It does reflect a curious ambivalence that America has to the rest of the Americas. It wants the resources (including the human resources) of the Americas but it can't quite come at the next logical step yet.....creating the United Americas. NAFTA was step in this direction....maybe in a hundred years, an American can be anyone from Juneau, Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.....in an EU-type confederation.

I vary it with citizen of the US, but that's not always possible grammatically.

Fair enough, as I said I don't like these debates at the best of times. I think it is petty and a waste of time. If one starts talking about Americans you will learn what they are referring to by what they are saying. Whereas using a term such as Usian or something else will only lead to these sort of debates and people accusing you of ragging on the Mexicans.

You're just annoyed at anyone who expresses love for their country aren't you? :)
Love? I respect the people who previously built up institutions, along with the people now who try to help others, both within the country and without.
Well technically there is only one country with America in its name as well :)
I edited the post ~15s before you replied.

How about... Middle Of North America - U.S.A? Monausa!

Yeah, the heat woke me up so I'm fairly fresh.

This debate made me think of the Monroe Doctrine which I learnt in Year 11 at school (Ferrous claims he went to a school where he didn't learn this stuff). Basically, President Monroe saw the U.S.A's sphere of influence as being The Americas and maintained that theU.S. should stay out of European conflicts. This idea underpinning U.S. Foreign Policy held up until Pearl Harbor whenthe U.S. reluctantly assumed the role of world superpower and 'policeman" of Europe and the rest of the world. Pax Americana and all that.
So where am I going with all this....Monroe saw the Americas as America's backyard. It does reflect a curious ambivalence that America has to the rest of the Americas. It wants the resources (including the human resources) of the Americas but it can't quite come at the next logical step yet.....creating the United Americas. NAFTA was step in this direction....maybe in a hundred years, an American can be anyone from Juneau, Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.....in an EU-type confederation.

The Monroe doctrine was, and is, a useful rationalisation for interfering in the sovereignty of other American nations.

I like the way it was simply ignored during the Falklands war. I guess it's only invoked when it's good for the US economy.

The Americas won't be unified until we can be sure that Washington won't be calling the shots for the rest of us. In other words, it probably won't happen.

I'm not sure why some US citizens take this as offensive...

Given our insecurity about our national identity, questioning something as integral to such a thing as a demonym makes us a bit annoyed.

Then why use the term 'American' for U.S.A people?

An accident of history and language. Many, many people are under the impression that the term "United States of America" is a similar construct to "Federal Republic of Germany", where "America" is the noun in the same way "Germany" is. What they don't understand is that "of America" is merely a preposition describing the location of of the States, which is of course the noun in this term.

Something that adds to this grammatical misunderstanding is that that verbs where "The United States of America" is the subject are conjugated in the singular, rather than the plural. The change occurred during Reconstruction after the Civil War in an attempt to try and encourage national unity.

So the rest of the world should comply to your girlfriend, rather than the dictionary? :rolleyes:

Well I think the girl friend is right. I call myself British, before European.:D

No. An American is someone from the United States. I don't give a fuck what the dictionary says. My ex-girlfriend from South America doesn't refer to herself as an American. She calls herself Ecuadorian.

Pray tell, where's Ecuador? In the Americas. Hence, your lady is American. What's more, she's a South American. Is American in any of those names? I think so.

My question, is why you refer to us as "USAmericans"...why not as Americans, which is what we are? .

Dude, you just referred to Europeans as Euros...

Are we back to this again? Let it go, and just call people what they want to be called, for the sake of politeness if nothing else.

Who is this "we" you keep refering to?

I guess us patriotic Americans. Maybe us Boy Scouts and Scouters. I don't know. I am making mac and cheese right now.

I am assuming you are trying to say the rest of the world is devoid of history, I only extricated the meaning because I am used to helping children with learning disabilities. I am reasonably certain the couple hundred years of US history doesn't hold a candle to thousands of years of European, Asian, Middle Eastern civilisation

American history is short but sweet.

American history is short but sweet.

Off the top of my head, I can think of mass killings, civil war, slavery, systemic discrimination, mass deportations, and incarceration of innocents.

And that's only looking at domestic US history. If we start looking at interventions in other parts of the world, we'll find even more examples of US history (or American history, for that matter) being anything but sweet.

The excessive nationalism in this thread is beginning to wrack my brain.

Please excuse me while I'm in the corner, continuing to not give a fuck what I'm called/pounding my head into the wall.

I guess us patriotic Americans. Maybe us Boy Scouts and Scouters. I don't know. I am making mac and cheese right now.

Funny, I was a boy scout. Guess they failed.

Funny, I was a boy scout. Guess they failed.

I bet you never made eagle eh?

Europe for instance has the same freedom, and we fought for our freedom too. from the roman opression, the kings and the industrial revolution(workers had no rights)
But you dont see Europeans go nuts about our flags.

I bet you never made eagle eh?

Never got past tiger:p

I shouldnt have said I was a scout. I was in it for one year in Kindergarten.

Americans don't waste so much money on their flag as the British on their Queen.

Well, the Queen brings in more tourist money than what she costs (about 1 USD per person per year), so what you're really saying is that the flags make America more profit than the queen makes for Britain. However, since the majority of flag purchasers would be Americans themselves I do not see how this can be the case.

When Iranians burn an American flag they have to buy it from somewhere, don't they?

When Iranians burn an American flag they have to buy it from somewhere, don't they?

From China, I'm sure.

When Iranians burn an American flag they have to buy it from somewhere, don't they?

Have you seen the US flags they tend to burn? Tends to be a sheet with some blue and red paint on it in a rough approximation of the US flag.

Of course, if they decide to take umbrage against Britain, France, Russia, or Norway, this will save them a fair amount of cash.

Of course, if they decide to take umbrage against Britain, France, Russia, or Norway, this will save them a fair amount of cash.
I dunno, the Union Jack is a bit of a bitch to paint up. Really I'm sure they're hoping for anti-Libyan sentiment to grow.

I dunno, the Union Jack is a bit of a bitch to paint up. Really I'm sure they're hoping for anti-Libyan sentiment to grow.

Or anti-Japanese. Flag production would be a piece of cake.

Or anti-Japanese. Flag production would be a piece of cake.
I dunno you wouldn't want a crappy circle ruining your day.

Maybe Finland. Blue stripe that way, blue stripe the other. Job done.

Love? I respect the people who previously built up institutions, along with the people now who try to help others, both within the country and without.

Good, I think.

I edited the post ~15s before you replied.

How about... Middle Of North America - U.S.A? Monausa!

lol, sounds like a good name.

Maybe for the sake of argument we should just call citizens of the US Yanks or Seppos. :tongue:

I'm not that happy to rely on context to convey my meaning, sorry.

Language IS context based. There is a huge amount of words that has up to even 10 meanings!

So the rest of the world should comply to your girlfriend, rather than the dictionary? :rolleyes:

We call ourselves Americans. Everyone I've known from Central/South America or the Carib. refers to US citizens as Americans. The only reason people here(never seen it elsewhere) use USian or other terms is to troll.

So the rest of the world should comply to your girlfriend, rather than the dictionary? :rolleyes:The demonym of the citizens of the United States of America is "American". Just like the demonym of the populace of Japan is "Japanese".

Never got past tiger:p

I shouldnt have said I was a scout. I was in it for one year in Kindergarten.

Yeah that does not count for much. They did not have Tiger cubs until after I was too old to become one. I started as a Bobcat and became an Eagle with a gold palm. Now I am a Scouter. It is a darn fine organization. I consider it the thin khaki line separating our youth from moral filth.

Cerean;14453592']We call ourselves Americans. Everyone I've known from Central/South America or the Carib. refers to US citizens as Americans. The only reason people here(never seen it elsewhere) use USian or other terms is to troll.

I thought it was to make themselves feel smart.

Cerean;14453592']We call ourselves Americans. Everyone I've known from Central/South America or the Carib. refers to US citizens as Americans. The only reason people here(never seen it elsewhere) use USian or other terms is to troll.

Yup. Try not to let the trolls bother you. If they get you fired up then they won.

I consider it the thin khaki line separating our youth from moral filth.

Yes. Because everyone who was never a scout is highly immoral.

Yes. Because everyone who was never a scout is highly immoral.

Good thing you were in it for a year KoL :)

Good thing you were in it for a year KoL :)

It was like 5 months.


Meaning Im about as moral as Charles Manson. But not as bad as Hitler:p


Thats right. I Godwinned.

It was like 5 months.


Meaning Im about as moral as Charles Manson. But not as bad as Hitler:p


Thats right. I Godwinned.

And it could only be you. :)

If Hitler had been a member of the scouts then WWII could have been avoided.

If Hitler had been a member of the scouts then WWII could have been avoided.

Or he'd have been so enraged at not getting his archery merit badge it would have happened anyway.

Good, I think.



lol, sounds like a good name.

Maybe for the sake of argument we should just call citizens of the US Yanks or Seppos. :tongue:

Prehaps, but some people usually from the southern states tend to take offense at being called yanks. In the states we generally only refer to people from the northern states especially those from the New England States as Yanks. I had good friend who got into an fight when an aussie called her an yank, of course she responded by calling him an damn red coat and the fight started from there, then they got drunk together afterwards.

The demonym of the citizens of the United States of America is "American". Just like the demonym of the populace of Japan is "Japanese".

I say we let them, If the Canadians, Mexicans, and South Americans...

Want to be Americans then so be it, they can share in the blame for all the crap thats been done in our name as well...Also their Countries will have to be responsible for our Debt, and have to pay taxes into our system...Oh and we want our companies to have free and open access to your resources as well....

Remember Jafar? lol....Phenomenal Cosmic Power's not always what its cracked up to be...

Prehaps, but some people usually from the southern states tend to take offense at being called yanks. In the states we generally only refer to people from the northern states especially those from the New England States as Yanks. I had good friend who got into an fight when an aussie called her an yank, of course she responded by calling him an damn red coat and the fight started from there, then they got drunk together afterwards.

To foreigners, a Yankee is an American.
To Americans, a Yankee is a Northerner.
To Northerners, a Yankee is an Easterner.
To Easterners, a Yankee is a New Englander.
To New Englanders, a Yankee is a Vermonter.
And in Vermont, a Yankee is somebody who eats pie for breakfast.

Prehaps, but some people usually from the southern states tend to take offense at being called yanks. In the states we generally only refer to people from the northern states especially those from the New England States as Yanks. I had good friend who got into an fight when an aussie called her an yank, of course she responded by calling him an damn red coat and the fight started from there, then they got drunk together afterwards.

lol, the best way to find a drinking buddy.

But to eliminate all fights we will hearby use the term Seppo.

Prehaps, but some people usually from the southern states tend to take offense at being called yanks. In the states we generally only refer to people from the northern states especially those from the New England States as Yanks.

Depends on the context really...If someone from NY called me a Yank, Id probably politely correct him/her....If they persisted, Id probably get a little more angry, and point some history to them....

Beyond that, Id just not bother, lol, its not something to get violent about...

But, If a Canadian said it, I would understand the Context, and simply reply "Canuck"...lol...

Or he'd have been so enraged at not getting his archery merit badge it would have happened anyway.

I never got my archery badge :(

In fact I don't remember having an archery badge to be able to get. :mad:

*Invades Poland*

To foreigners, a Yankee is an American.
To Americans, a Yankee is a Northerner.
To Northerners, a Yankee is an Easterner.
To Easterners, a Yankee is a New Englander.
To New Englanders, a Yankee is a Vermonter.
And in Vermont, a Yankee is somebody who eats pie for breakfast.Yes, but what are rednecks? ;)

I never got my archery badge :(

In fact I don't remember having an archery badge to be able to get. :mad:

*Invades Poland*

I was pretty angry when they took away the Marksmanship Badge in ROTC...I was a shoe in for it, Id been practicing all the time at home...

Then some idiot kid shoots him self in the foot with the airsoft gun, and their parents sued...And that was the end of that...

Douchebag...

Yes, but what are rednecks? ;)

I believe its these people down the street from me.....:rolleyes: lol

Yes, but what are rednecks? ;)

Comic Relief

Prehaps, but some people usually from the southern states tend to take offense at being called yanks. In the states we generally only refer to people from the northern states especially those from the New England States as Yanks.English "Yank", meaning "American", derives from
American "Yankee", meaning "northerner", derived from
Algonquian "Yangees", meaning "British colonist", derived from
French "Anglais", meaning "Englishman", derived from
English "English"!

So this word travelled across the Channel, across the Atlantic, and came back, distorted enough not to be recognized back home, and is now used by the English to refer to those people who aren't English, although they speak a kind of English.

If you still have a massive Christmas Light-Flag in your front lawn to this day and still light it up (those people down the street, lol)......

You might be a Redneck....


*feels ashamed at using that phrase :$* lol

I was pretty angry when they took away the Marksmanship Badge in ROTC...I was a shoe in for it, Id been practicing all the time at home...

Then some idiot kid shoots him self in the foot with the airsoft gun, and their parents sued...And that was the end of that...

Douchebag...

Spewing, I don't think I had anything like that at all ours consisted of camping, hiking, swimming, citizenship and other fun things as well as the three levels of boomerangs and cords or something. Wish we had something like marksmanship I would have gone well in that, even if I do say so myself.

I believe its these people down the street from me.....:rolleyes: lolOh, that's...interesting.

Comic ReliefGood one. I've always been told that I should be a comedian. (Apparently, I'm a "redneck". :D)

I never got my archery badge :(

In fact I don't remember having an archery badge to be able to get. :mad:

*Invades Poland*I got pneumonia instead of my archery badge. It was a lame trade-off. I'll probably just invade Iceland. They'll never see it coming those drunks.

English "Yank", meaning "American", derives from
American "Yankee", meaning "northerner", derived from
Algonquian "Yangees", meaning "British colonist", derived from
French "Anglais", meaning "Englishman", derived from
English "English"!

So this word travelled across the Channel, across the Atlantic, and came back, distorted enough not to be recognized back home, and is now used by the English to refer to those people who aren't English, although they speak a kind of English.

Well its better than being called Colonials which I heard of being used by some british, after the revolution and 1812 I think the british lost the right to use that term. Though it is amusing to to read about how the british Admirality whined about losing frigates to the American Super Frigates.

I got pneumonia instead of my archery badge. It was a lame trade-off. I'll probably just invade Iceland. They'll never see it coming those drunks.

But they have an openly gay head of state, now. That makes them the best government evar. They'll kick your ass.

(points to NSG)

But they have an openly gay head of state, now. That makes them the best government evar. They'll kick your ass.

(points to NSG)Then I'll probably just end up getting drunk with them. All in all, a better plan.

There you go with the cooking thing again. Eat before you post, durn it!

Sorry. :( *hands you fresh Intangible chocky-chip cookie* Made it myself.

Yup the tennis players have been dropping like flies in this heat.

By the way, many people may try to deny this , but the Star Spangled banner is a pretty aesthically-designed flag. Red, white and blue is an attractive colour scheme and the fifty white stars on a blue back ground is a good contrats with the red and white stripes. The national anthem is a pretty memorable number too. (Australia's "Advance Australia Fair" can be called "robust" at best)

Memorable for being a British drinking song.

To me it IS the real thing. It is a physical manifestation of my national pride.

Fixed for accuracy.

In America, a "Euro", when not being referred to in the sense of currency, is a descriptive term for those living on the continent. And it is generally supposed to be derogatory. I was not necessarily meaning it in that sense though.

DISCLAIMER: Wanderjar speaks only for himself and those he hears say this. I've lived here for 38 years and have never, repeat NEVER heard this term used in this fashion. I have heard it used as a hyphenate, as in "Euro-trash", and other coinings, but never as just plain "Euro" unless the money was the topic. Please forgive WJ his gross generalizations. And now, back to your regularly-scheduled NSG soikel-joik.

Search me... I tend to go for the most clearly defined word here, so as to avoid confusion and Canadians telling me that this all doesn't apply to them. I think if you're asking a question, it's only polite to be as precise as possible.

I'm not sure why some US citizens take this as offensive...

Because this is one topic on which many folks in the USA simply refuse to take a joke. They seem to think that this particular brand of patriotic inflexibility makes them somehow noble.

No. An American is someone from the United States. I don't give a fuck what the dictionary says. My ex-girlfriend from South America doesn't refer to herself as an American. She calls herself Ecuadorian.

Translation: "DAMN YOUR FACTS. I have willed myself to be correct, and so I am."

Yeah, the heat woke me up so I'm fairly fresh.

This debate made me think of the Monroe Doctrine which I learnt in Year 11 at school (Ferrous claims he went to a school where he didn't learn this stuff). Basically, President Monroe saw the U.S.A's sphere of influence as being The Americas and maintained that theU.S. should stay out of European conflicts. This idea underpinning U.S. Foreign Policy held up until Pearl Harbor whenthe U.S. reluctantly assumed the role of world superpower and 'policeman" of Europe and the rest of the world. Pax Americana and all that.
So where am I going with all this....Monroe saw the Americas as America's backyard. It does reflect a curious ambivalence that America has to the rest of the Americas. It wants the resources (including the human resources) of the Americas but it can't quite come at the next logical step yet.....creating the United Americas. NAFTA was step in this direction....maybe in a hundred years, an American can be anyone from Juneau, Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.....in an EU-type confederation.

This will never happen, at least not without significant redneck uprisings. Probably middle-class uprisings, too. The people of the USA have had it too good for too long to ever give it up by sharing it in any way. The rest of the hemisphere is seen as cheap labor and stuff to buy. Once the labor is done, those not of USA citizenship are asked to leave, or worse.

The demonym of the citizens of the United States of America is "American". Just like the demonym of the populace of Japan is "Japanese".

Not in Japan, it isn't.

Also, I'm far too pious to ever use one of your evil "demon"yms.

Not in Japan, it isn't. Like Americans generally identify with region, instead of country? (Not sure if that's common universally, but it is down here.)

Also, I'm far too pious to ever use one of your evil "demon"yms....You're ebil. :p

http://www.ceharger.com/raggedflag.htm This song sums it up nicely. Our flag embodies our finest traditions, and our grandest ideals. Many people died to defend our country, and it's flag.

Like Americans generally identify with region, instead of country? (Not sure if that's common universally, but it is down here.)

I meant that the Japanese don't use that term to describe themselves. IIRC (and NERVUN or Nanatsu can correct me if I'm wrong), they use Nihongo.

...You're ebil. :p

You have no idea.

http://www.ceharger.com/raggedflag.htm This song sums it up nicely in my opinion. To me, our flag embodies our finest traditions, and our grandest ideals. Many people died to defend our country.

Fixed for accurate representation, and again, nobody, but NObody died for a flag. Ever. Not once. What the flag represents? Absolutely. The flag itself? Never.

I meant that the Japanese don't use that term to describe themselves. IIRC (and NERVUN or Nanatsu can correct me if I'm wrong), they use Nihongo. Alright.



You have no idea.But I can guess! :D

Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/american)


I thought this might help you a bit.

Whoopdeefuckingdoo.

Definition 3 is the most common definition used.

Anyone who insists on calling Americans USAmericans, or Usians is simply being insulting.

God damn.

How many damn times a year does this come up on NSG?

Citizens of the United States of America are called AMERICANS.

End of fucking story.

USians is a fucking retarded term. USamerican is also a retarded term.

Use the term American.

No. An American is someone from the United States. I don't give a fuck what the dictionary says. My ex-girlfriend from South America doesn't refer to herself as an American. She calls herself Ecuadorian.

For the love of the gods this!

People from Canada don't refer to themselves as Americans. They call themselves Canadians.

People from Mexico call themselves Mexicans.

People from the USA call themselves Americans.

People from Mexico call themselves Mexico.Mexicans. ;)

Anyways, I agree. United States citizens refer to themselves as Americans. I have, as of yet, not read of another country in North or South America that has citizens that do this.

Hmm...

American : Big cars, burgers, Coca Cola, Hawaii shirts, Baseball, American Football, ...
British : Taxis, fish'n chips, tea, tweed jackets, cricket, football...

I think it's pretty even, actually.

Being reknowned for big cars that need to be refilled every 5 miles is embarrassing. Hamburgers actually stem from a German dish brought from the city of - you guessed it - Hamburg. Coca-Cola was likely originally modeled after something called a cocawine (cocaine in wine), but when a few counties in Georgia enacted prohibition laws in 1886, the wine aspect was replaced by a sugar syrup, and the cocaine was dropped when it was banned nationwide. A Chinese merchant created the Aloha shirt in Waikiki. Baseball possibly evolved out of a British game called rounders. American football evolved from rugby, an English sport. The things we call distinctly American tend to come in one form or another from elsewhere, and what we do invent on our own tends to need massive overhauling before it's even close to practical for everyday use.

Whoopdeefuckingdoo.

Definition 3 is the most common definition used.

Anyone who insists on calling Americans USAmericans, or Usians is simply being insulting.

God damn.

How many damn times a year does this come up on NSG?

Citizens of the United States of America are called AMERICANS.

End of fucking story.

USians is a fucking retarded term. USamerican is also a retarded term.

Use the term American.

No.

You don't control how I choose to type. You do, however choose what you decide to defend with any kind of vigor. Your choices say a lot about you.

Being reknowned for big cars that need to be refilled every 5 miles is embarrassing. Hamburgers actually stem from a German dish brought from the city of - you guessed it - Hamburg. Coca-Cola was likely originally modeled after something called a cocawine (cocaine in wine), but when a few counties in Georgia enacted prohibition laws in 1886, the wine aspect was replaced by a sugar syrup, and the cocaine was dropped when it was banned nationwide. A Chinese merchant created the Aloha shirt in Waikiki. Baseball possibly evolved out of a British game called rounders. American football evolved from rugby, an English sport. The things we call distinctly American tend to come in one form or another from elsewhere, and what we do invent on our own tends to need massive overhauling before it's even close to practical for everyday use.

Excellent points. I've said it before and I'll say it again. The Blues. Also marketing.

No.

You don't control how I choose to type. You do, however choose what you decide to defend with any kind of vigor. Your choices say a lot about you.

Oh, and do you use the term USamerican or Usian? (I don't remember what you do or not).

And what does my choice about this say?

Oh, and do you use the term USamerican or Usian? (I don't remember what you do or not).

And what does my choice about this say?

I choose not to use "American" exclusively. I'll use US or US citizen unless sentence construction makes "American" the most convenient choice. USian works in some ways, and not in others.

What does your choice to get ridiculously defensive about what one or two people insist on using to describe things from the USA on an internet forum say about you? I don't think you really need me to answer that one for you. Not really.

I choose not to use "American" exclusively. I'll use US or US citizen unless sentence construction makes "American" the most convenient choice. USian works in some ways, and not in others.

What does your choice to get ridiculously defensive about what one or two people insist on using to describe things from the USA on an internet forum say about you? I don't think you really need me to answer that one for you. Not really.

I'm just sick of seeing these wrong and disrespectful terms. Its damned annoying.

And go ahead. What does it say about me? TG me if you want.

I'm just sick of seeing these wrong and disrespectful terms. Its damned annoying.

And go ahead. What does it say about me? TG me if you want.

So ignore them. Why is that so hard? It's clearly something that you care about and that those who would use those terms do not. You won't convince them, they won't convince you.

What does it say about you? If you scroll back and really read what I've typed, you'll see you have your answer.

How long has the term USian been in use? Because it sounds like the bastard child of an overly PC culture to me.

Granted, I could care less what you call me. I don't find it offensive. I think it's rather silly is all.

How long has the term USian been in use? Because it sounds like the bastard child of an overly PC culture to me.

Granted, I could care less what you call me. I don't find it offensive. I think it's rather silly is all.

Oh, it is, but it's silly in order to point out how silly rabid patriotism is. Witness the humorless responses.

Oh, it is, but it's silly in order to point out how silly rabid patriotism is. Witness the humorless responses.Ah so it's more of a social experiment of sorts. Change something completely trivial and observe the belligerence.

Brainwash its what it is! Brainwash I tell thee!

In loving memory of the actual topic. Departed this life several pages ago.