She’s All That
I had never heard countries referred to as “she” until I was 14 when a new history teacher said one day:
“Russia pushed the Germans back partly because Stalin could not afford to lose her warm water ports.”
It seemed weird and strangely personal, but my teacher always did it. I wondered if world leaders referred to their countries in the same way.
King Juan Carlos: “My country, she’s great. A little cranky at times, but she keeps me out of trouble. But I was talking to President Chirac the other day, and that France is a bitch. She’s out of control - she is loco. She’s always on the phone sending text messages to whoever and the other say she say she want to move in with Portugal, who everyone knows is a slapper. It’s not fair. It is always same old story. I wish I could help somehow.”
George Bush: “You have stood here before beside the pouring rain, with the world turning circles running round your brain.”
King Juan Carlos: “I guess I’m always hoping that you’d end this reign, but it’s my destiny to be the King of Spain.”
George Bush: “King of Spain?”
King Juan Carlos: “I will always be King of Spain.”
July 13th, 2006 at 4:35 pm
Germany is referred to in the male gender. Fatherland. Russia is known as the Motherland.
What’s that make the rest of us, aside from cringing at the Police joke?
July 14th, 2006 at 8:41 am
Police joke? I don’t know what you mean.