A special relationship?

Eichhörnchen · 02-27-25, 05:05 PM

I hate the craven way in which UK journalists bang on about our "Special Relationship" with the US after each high profile meeting between our respective high-ups. It would be nice if it were true that we are 'special' to them but as I understand it very many Americans below a certain age have no idea where we are in the world or even what language we speak. I can in part vouch for this since my American nephew once told me that when he mentioned his forthcoming visit to England one of his young friends asked him what language we speak

Skybird · 02-27-25, 05:57 PM

Quote:

I can in part vouch for this since my American nephew once told me that when he mentioned his forthcoming visit to England one of his young friends asked him what language we speak

You know, since I heard Northumbrian English first time ever I am asking myself this queston, too.

I assume young kids get parts of their upper tongue surgically removed in Northumbria as part of a culturally specific welcoming ceremony celebrating the onset of teething.

Eichhörnchen · 02-27-25, 06:00 PM

^

Don't let Jim hear you say that

Eichhörnchen · 02-27-25, 06:18 PM

The above is copied from a post I made today on Facebook - and just now I was sent this by a US friend of ours -

(Quote)
"Know this; I personally think of all of you as a treasure to have as friends. A strength. Like your precious poet has penned, not a clod of dirt falls into the ocean without the whole of England [insert "everyone", as we are actually talking about humanity] suffering. You are extremely precious to me and my friends"

Commander Wallace · 02-27-25, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

I hate the craven way in which UK journalists bang on about our "Special Relationship" with the US after each high profile meeting between our respective high-ups. It would be nice if it were true that we are 'special' to them but as I understand it very many Americans below a certain age have no idea where we are in the world or even what language we speak. I can in part vouch for this since my American nephew once told me that when he mentioned his forthcoming visit to England one of his young friends asked him what language we speak

I can certainly understand that. I'm not in that category as I learned all about England when I was young. This doesn't include the map I have of England and Dragons.

See ? We all know about England.

With regards to the English Language, I have tried to teach you all I know which took me all of about five minutes. No worries, we'll work on it.

Eichhörnchen · 02-27-25, 07:04 PM

^ That's more like it!

Platapus · 02-28-25, 07:13 AM

If you really want to confuse a lot of Americans, start speaking as if England, Great Britain, and The United Kingdom are different designations.

Best to just call all of them English. They will understand,

(ducking)

Eichhörnchen · 02-28-25, 07:45 AM

^

And never ever call a Scotsman a "Scotchman"

Jimbuna · 02-28-25, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

You know, since I heard Northumbrian English first time ever I am asking myself this queston, too.

I assume young kids get parts of their upper tongue surgically removed in Northumbria as part of a culturally specific welcoming ceremony celebrating the onset of teething.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

^

Don't let Jim hear you say that

I know whose upper tongue I'd be surgically removing

Jimbuna · 02-28-25, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

I can certainly understand that. I'm not in that category as I learned all about England when I was young. This doesn't include the map I have of England and Dragons.

See ? We all know about England.

With regards to the English Language, I have tried to teach you all I know which took me all of about five minutes. No worries, we'll work on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

^ That's more like it!

Never had you down as an inbred Glynn

Commander Wallace · 02-28-25, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

^

And never ever call a Scotsman a "Scotchman"

For you Big E. The drunk Scotsman Song.

Jimbuna · 02-28-25, 07:55 AM

^

Commander Wallace · 02-28-25, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

^

Oh' Lad I don't know where ya' been but I see you won first prize.

Skybird · 02-28-25, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

^

And never ever call a Scotsman a "Scotchman"

Or a Scotch a Brandy. You may end up as a Single Melt.

Eichhörnchen · 02-28-25, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Never had you down as an inbred Glynn

I'm not, mate - I'm safely in the blue zone - "Apparently not the north"

X marks the squirrel

02-27-25, 05:05 PM	#1
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,381 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	A special relationship? I hate the craven way in which UK journalists bang on about our "Special Relationship" with the US after each high profile meeting between our respective high-ups. It would be nice if it were true that we are 'special' to them but as I understand it very many Americans below a certain age have no idea where we are in the world or even what language we speak. I can in part vouch for this since my American nephew once told me that when he mentioned his forthcoming visit to England one of his young friends asked him what language we speak __________________

02-27-25, 06:00 PM	#3
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,381 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	^ Don't let Jim hear you say that __________________

02-27-25, 06:18 PM	#4
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,381 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	The above is copied from a post I made today on Facebook - and just now I was sent this by a US friend of ours - (Quote) "Know this; I personally think of all of you as a treasure to have as friends. A strength. Like your precious poet has penned, not a clod of dirt falls into the ocean without the whole of England [insert "everyone", as we are actually talking about humanity] suffering. You are extremely precious to me and my friends" __________________ Last edited by Eichhörnchen; 03-01-25 at 04:50 AM.

02-27-25, 07:04 PM	#6
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,381 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	^ That's more like it! __________________

02-28-25, 07:13 AM	#7
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,362 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	If you really want to confuse a lot of Americans, start speaking as if England, Great Britain, and The United Kingdom are different designations. Best to just call all of them English. They will understand, (ducking) __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

02-28-25, 07:45 AM	#8
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,381 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	^ And never *ever* call a Scotsman a "Scotchman" __________________

02-28-25, 07:55 AM	#12
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,525 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	^ __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!