chartpolski 23,038 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 Just a little snippet that may or may not be true or even relevant; Foreigners, especially the French , sneer at us calling our islands “Great Britain”, but the “great” doesn’t mean “great” as in powerful or excellent, it’s from the French “Grande Britange” meaning, literally, “big Britain “ to distinguish it from Brittany which means, again literally, “little Britain” ! Which comes from the times when Kings of England were also Kings of France and most of them spoke French rather than English. It was meant to be my protégés history lesson for today but I thought I’d share it ! LOL ! a votre sante. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lenmcharristar 9,719 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paddyluke 726 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 10 minutes ago, jukel123 said: 'Patriotism is the conviction that your country is superior to all others because you were born in it. ' George Bernard Shaw. I believe that. I don't understand all the flag waving by different nationalities. Couldn't give a f**k tbh. I can never understand why people are so willing to die for their country when they are poor and own so little of the country's wealth. I'm not saying I wouldn't fight for my country but I'd have to be pretty convinced it was a just war. And there are few of those. I support England sports teams but basically I'm an internationalist. I don't think I'm better or worse than anybody else. I'm not particularly proud or ashamed to be born in England. I didn't have a lot of choice in the matter, nor am I responsible for England's historic achievements or dodgy behaviour In the past. I think the British can be distinguished by the amount of crap dumped on us by our governments and how we just knuckle our foreheads and accept it. it's always the people at the bottom of the ladder fighting to protect the people at the top, but you do get a round bit of pretty metal if you do protect them so be very grateful 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jukel123 7,957 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 (edited) 4 minutes ago, paddyluke said: it's always the people at the bottom of the ladder fighting to protect the people at the top, but you do get a round bit of pretty metal if you do protect them so be very grateful Correct. But I don't disrespect individual acts of true heroism when soldiers show genuine courage in protecting their comrades. But a lot of squaddies have told the establishment to stick their medals where the sun don't shine and I respect those guys too. You get sold a dream and end up witnessing horror of all kinds. Edited August 2 by jukel123 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waltjnr 6,552 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 2 hours ago, Astanley said: It's a broad question ,and I don't think there is a definitive answer . To dwell in these isles would be a start ,for how many generations would get many different answers To buy into the Greco Romano ,judeo Christian ,western culture and ethics would be nice ,I'm not talking religion ,but we have broadly accepted these ideals for millennia ,with reasonable results . To have pride or at least respect for the history ,traditions ,achievements and advances these very small islands have had in the world . To acknowledge the mistakes made without self hating . To know all this and not be scared to say it out loud or be cowed by those who wish to change and twist history , The strengths of being British is also it's biggest weakness ,it's tolerance and humanity are being turned against us by those who wish to destroy us from within . Won't bother commenting, this post sums it up nicely 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jukel123 7,957 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 20 minutes ago, chartpolski said: Just a little snippet that may or may not be true or even relevant; Foreigners, especially the French , sneer at us calling our islands “Great Britain”, but the “great” doesn’t mean “great” as in powerful or excellent, it’s from the French “Grande Britange” meaning, literally, “big Britain “ to distinguish it from Brittany which means, again literally, “little Britain” ! Which comes from the times when Kings of England were also Kings of France and most of them spoke French rather than English. It was meant to be my protégés history lesson for today but I thought I’d share it ! LOL ! a votre sante. I'd often wondered whether the description " Great Britain" stuck in the craw of foreigners. Thanks for the explanation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfdog91 6,868 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 Welp this was a interesting read Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.357shooter 1,177 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 us who i am english not british.british is a word for people who do not come from this country.bit like the blanket term social care that now means benifits for the 3rd world shite that do not deserve a penny. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Greyman 27,976 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 Being British is about being able to have a long serious conversation with yourself under two different alias’s without feeling a total walloper you total walloper 14 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Francie, 2,136 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 3 minutes ago, Greyman said: Being British is about being able to have a long serious conversation with yourself under two different alias’s without feeling a total walloper you total walloper Again lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mel b 2,127 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 1 hour ago, jukel123 said: 'Patriotism is the conviction that your country is superior to all others because you were born in it. ' George Bernard Shaw. I believe that. I don't understand all the flag waving by different nationalities. Couldn't give a f**k tbh. I can never understand why people are so willing to die for their country when they are poor and own so little of the country's wealth. I'm not saying I wouldn't fight for my country but I'd have to be pretty convinced it was a just war. And there are few of those. I support England sports teams but basically I'm an internationalist. I don't think I'm better or worse than anybody else. I'm not particularly proud or ashamed to be born in England. I didn't have a lot of choice in the matter, nor am I responsible for England's historic achievements or dodgy behaviour In the past. I think the British can be distinguished by the amount of crap dumped on us by our governments and how we just knuckle our foreheads and accept it. Come on juke. You must realise that you're better than the French . 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jukel123 7,957 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 (edited) 13 minutes ago, mel b said: Come on juke. You must realise that you're better than the French . And the jocks of course. The easiest people to wind up about England. You don't need to trigger them . They are already cocked, safety catch off, ready to fire. I'm always happy to oblige. Attack is the best form of defence with these people. I love telling them to talk to me in their own language and not mine. Stand up straight and stop dragging your knuckles. Stop eating your porridge with your fingers. Winding up our Caledonian cousins should be a sport in the Olympics. They love falling out with each other usually about religious wars which were fought 100s of years back. I once heard the following row in a pub. Celtic supporter: Hey you bluenose. Would you die for Rangers FC? Rangers supporter: Aye ya f****n phenian bastart. Celtic supporter: Would you suck cock for Ulster? Rangers supporter" Fuuckin right I would . I'd shag the pope an a. Somewhat basic, unrefined people. Edited August 2 by jukel123 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chartpolski 23,038 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 13 minutes ago, jukel123 said: And the jocks of course. The easiest people to wind up about England. You don't need to trigger them . They are already cocked, safety catch off, ready to fire. I'm always happy to oblige. Attack is the best form of defence with these people. I love telling them to talk to me in their own language and not mine. Stand up straight and stop dragging your knuckles. Stop eating your porridge with your fingers. Winding up our Caledonian cousins should be a sport in the Olympics. They love falling out with each other usually about religious wars which were fought 100s of years back. I once heard the following row in a pub. Celtic supporter: Hey you bluenose. Would you die for Rangers FC? Rangers supporter: Aye ya f****n phenian bastart. Celtic supporter: Would you suck cock for Ulster? Rangers supporter" Fuuckin right I would . I'd shag the pope an a. Somewhat basic, unrefined people. Cheers. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WILF 46,534 Posted August 2 Report Share Posted August 2 Just musing (great word that…..”Brent mused…..” lol ) about the fact that if you asked almost anyone else in the world what makes them whatever they are they would probably look at you like you was mental ! If you had asked the same question of an Englishman a 100 years ago he would probably have done the same…….it gos to show that to even consider the question is a measure of the loss of our identity. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pewit 970 Posted August 2 Author Report Share Posted August 2 1 hour ago, Greyman said: Being British is about being able to have a long serious conversation with yourself under two different alias’s without feeling a total walloper you total walloper Stick to trying to solve the mystery of phantom cats Sherlock.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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