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Re: Are English people European?
Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 2:47 pm
by thegreekdog
Here's my proof that the Brits aren't European:
leftenant vs. lieutenant
"Stupid French, we're not using their stupid term... let's make up a new word."
"What should we call a lieutenant?"
"Um.... leftenant."
"Brilliant!"
Re: Are English people European?
Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 12:41 am
by Dukasaur
thegreekdog wrote:Here's my proof that the Brits aren't European:
leftenant vs. lieutenant
"Stupid French, we're not using their stupid term... let's make up a new word."
"What should we call a lieutenant?"
"Um.... leftenant."
"Brilliant!"
It's the same word, essentially. The derivation is from feudal war: when the lord would ride to war his tenants came along as men-at-arms. However, they couldn't all go. At least a couple trusted fighters had to be left at home to protect the women and children from bandits and such. Thus, the "left tenant" or the "tenant left behind to defend the manor." The French term "en lieu" means the exact same thing, the "tenant left in lieu of his lord."
Re: Are English people European?
Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 12:45 am
by perchorin
Dukasaur wrote:thegreekdog wrote:Here's my proof that the Brits aren't European:
leftenant vs. lieutenant
"Stupid French, we're not using their stupid term... let's make up a new word."
"What should we call a lieutenant?"
"Um.... leftenant."
"Brilliant!"
It's the same word, essentially. The derivation is from feudal war: when the lord would ride to war his tenants came along as men-at-arms. However, they couldn't all go. At least a couple trusted fighters had to be left at home to protect the women and children from bandits and such. Thus, the "left tenant" or the "tenant left behind to defend the manor." The French term "en lieu" means the exact same thing, the "tenant left in lieu of his lord."
that just blew my mind!
Re: Are English people European?
Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 7:09 am
by thegreekdog
Dukasaur wrote:thegreekdog wrote:Here's my proof that the Brits aren't European:
leftenant vs. lieutenant
"Stupid French, we're not using their stupid term... let's make up a new word."
"What should we call a lieutenant?"
"Um.... leftenant."
"Brilliant!"
It's the same word, essentially. The derivation is from feudal war: when the lord would ride to war his tenants came along as men-at-arms. However, they couldn't all go. At least a couple trusted fighters had to be left at home to protect the women and children from bandits and such. Thus, the "left tenant" or the "tenant left behind to defend the manor." The French term "en lieu" means the exact same thing, the "tenant left in lieu of his lord."
I actually did know that (at least the English derivation)... I was just trying to make a joke.
Re: Are English people European?
Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 3:56 pm
by Pirlo
natty_dread wrote:Maybe they're kinda like the Finnish, who are europeans when it happens to suit them...
I think all EU countries consider the same?