The Where?
July 16, 2008
I wrote about The Philippines in the post before, and wondered why it’s a “the”. It’s not a band or anything.
Other countries that get “the”s are The Sudan, The Gambia, The Lebanon and The Ivory Coast.
The Sudan. You’re a long way from home.
John Cusack. Mini Driver. Matt Damon. And Morgan Freeman.
He gets a lot of “And”s, Freeman. It’s movie talk for “he’s only in it for five or six minutes and he’s playing God again”.
I don’t see why countries need the article. Nouns. OK, those are fine. The UK, The United States. Same with regions: the highlands, the Balkans. Fair enough. But if you’re a country, you should just be “Country.”
Maybe it’s a class thing. Posh people say “The” more for countries.
“We went to The Vietnam and then travelled by junk to The China up the Yangtze.”
See this?
How’d you like that up the Yangtze?
Yeah?
Posh twat.
Your average straight-talking Yorkshireman wouldn’t have owt of it. He’d play down the whole thing.
“EEEEEEE, we’re off to T’Soloman Islands by way of T’United States and T’Emerates, then stopping off at t’in-laws in T’Virgin Islands t’see T’Pau.”
Monday night Len played the race card again with this comment, so I’m throwing back a class stereotype here by suggesting that everyone from Yorkshire is working class.
But it’s cool, though, because the fictional character was also Chinese. Oy to the vey.
Me and Len grew up together in Pennsylvania, as much as we grew. Here’s a picture of us near his house in the 1970’s, and us near my house a few weeks ago. (Click pics for bigger versions)
Dude. We’re old.
11 comments
I am typical of the Yorkshire working-class stereotype.
From Yorkshire – tick
Working – tick (when not reading blogs!)
Class – tick (very class act)
Ba dum dum – tishhhhhh
Brilliant. I’m relieved I didn’t offend you.
http://www.instantrimshot.com/
The Philippines gets a ‘The’ because it’s a group of islands. GO on, name an archipelago worth its salt that doesn’t have a ‘The’. Except Hawaii. Or new Zealand. Or…
Well, fine then. BE that way.
So Len- how did you get to England from Philly I think I kinda sorta figured cliff’s travels out almost.
Or Malasia.
Ed – I flew there, and boy were my arms tired… (rim shot, please?)
I was there on business through a weekend (I live in New Jersey now, by the way) and went out to see Cliff et al on my free time.
Cliff – I don’t feel old, and then I see myself in pictures (albeit pictures of me tired and hungover) and realize that I can’t fight the truth much longer.
And by the way, you think my folks could’ve watered the lawn a bit more?
Ah, I see. One of these days I’ll get back there . And probably be deported.
Know what makes me feel old? People ten years younger than me talking about how old they are.
http://www.instantrimshot.com/
Ed – Len’s American – born, bread and buttered.
Len – I think we should have been watering the lawn that day. Whatevs. I still have that shirt, by the way. And my boyish good looks.
http://www.instantrimshot.com/
I’ve met people older than you.
True, but we haven’t met.
I’m impressed by the two photos, you and len, at least 30 years past!
Leave a comment. Play nice. I will turn this blog around.