GPappy Loc: Finally decided to plop down, Clover, S.C.

Canadians aren't American but they're still from North America!

Spindrift62 Loc: Dorset, England. U.K.

As you give no clue as to your nationality and are in fact 'in hiding', answering the last part of your reply is a little difficult. As to the history of partaking in continental european affairs, yes I must agree with you. I'm sure that the continent would be a much nicer place had Napoleon or Hitler not had to contend with our interferance.

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

Take a look at old English, from the 1500's or so, if you don't still spell like that over there in Britain, ( and for the record- you don't) ,then you've turned it to your own use as well. We "Yank's" have taken the ball and are "running with it" as far as the English language goes. I'm afraid we aren't in the habit of apologizing to anybody, for anything, least of all breathing life into our language and making it the language of the world, in a constant state of growing, evolving and adapting... You'll just have Live with it.

Anecdotally, I perceive a geographical distinction of England from Europe as not often does someone say I am going to Europe and ever mean just Great Britain or Ireland..

Oh, and when you call us Yank's- smile when you do... so we know you aren't insulting us...

davehill Loc: Home UK, working Globally.

I was certainly smiling, as I always do when I think of the USA. My point was simply that if you lot (and I probably mean Microsoft) wish to call the computers dictionary something then call it what it IS - AMERICAN - NOT English.
You can then argue among yourselves for as long as you want as to whether its American, or whether Shawnee or Sioux or Cherokee are really the American language, but at least our television, and magazines and the internet will be free of incorrect spellings, and so that our children will learn how to write and speak properly, and not with this pervasive corruption that is the stuff forced on us at the moment.
And as for those who live in the UK (OH..YET ANOTHER ARGUEMENT HERE FOLKS...)if you don't live in the European continent, then make a choice from Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, North America, and South America. Where do you THINK you live, or where do you think that Britain is, on the map?
The French don't reckon Antarctica exists.
The Americans don't sub-divide North and South America, saying it' all America, which probably annoys the South American countries just a bit, and Scientists have a completely different system:
Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, North America, Central America and the Carribean,South America, Africa, Australia and Oceania.
But what's wrong with talking about Rugby Football? You guys over there have that strange game where people dress in body armour just to throw a ball about, where we only have gumshields to protect us from our opponents. I suppose your game might evolve into something decent one day?

davehill Loc: Home UK, working Globally.

Anyway chaps, time for me to pop off for some tea and tiffin, maybe a cucumber sandwich or two, and some other English cuisine, that's been copied from the outposts of the Empire, and enshrined in the British way of life.
Pip Pip.

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

From what I've seen, this Rugby Football is the only sport I know of where the spectators have to protect themselves from the opposing spectators.

Fergus Loc: Westfield,IN

Maybe you were napping and missed it, but England joined the European Trade Union and England uses the Euro for trading.

If I were a Brit (of any kind) I wouldn't want to part of Europe either.

You may want to find out what session of Parliament voted you into that mess and make certain that you don't vote for the winning party that caused your cozy relationship with Europe, including Greece which is dragging all of you down.

Robbie7 Loc: Northampton. England

I am an individual, born in England. Your question implys there is something special about being born in England. WHAT! ? may that be, I wonder :D

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Robbie;
For one thing, your education system at least puts emphasis on the basics of grammer and language skills, literature and elloquence in speech. Seem like the only thing the US is stressing is TWEETING and this jargon used in IM and texting and then there's this Ghettospeak. It's all B.S. in my opinion, and history seems to be something not taught but changed and re-invented depending on your view pointand religious affiliation in the USA. Few US students get a good grasp of European history or world history so most have no concept of past indiscretions, appartide, or ethnic cleansing. I concur with your less than passing grade for YANKY EDUCATION. LOL.
I remember being in a plane crash there in England and got excellent care from your medical system. Now the US will soon have a system similar. Some call it SOCIALISM, but SOCIALIZED MEDICINE is not the same thing at all. JMHO.

rt1379

Wow... bemused_bystander ! ..
now that's a place that I would love to visit .... any photographs ? please ... pretty please :roll:

rt1379

Hahahaha...

Nikonman Loc: Harrogate. North Yorkshire. UK

And for our friends across the Pond an extract from one of you dictionarys

Im british too!!!!


Brit·on (brtn)
n.
1. A native or inhabitant of Great Britain.
2. One of a Celtic people inhabiting ancient Britain at the time of the Roman invasion.
3. A member of a Brittonic-speaking people.
[Middle English Britoun, Celt, Briton, from Anglo-Norman Britun, from Latin Brittons, Britons, of Celtic origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

rt1379

Well... that was an interesting conversation we all had and I thank you all for that... aren't these groups wonderfully educational ?.... This conversation finally prompted me into becoming a fully paid up member of UKIP... I will post my cheque first thing in the morning!

..also I found out to my amazement that just three "so called" British (so far) posters in here are happy to be referred to as European's ...I just hope that you three never have the need to visit somewhere like Barnsley Stockport or Sheffield ... :?

.. just one final comment from me on this thread if I may :| .. With reference to the "smashed peas" above ??
.. is this from the same country that serves "baby food" for breakfast ? ... ie..... "sofkee... grits" :? Yuuuuuck! :hunf: :roll:

Daryl New Loc: Wellington,New Zealand

Thank god you're not near Middle East,now thats scary....well more of a worry it would be.

Nikonman Loc: Harrogate. North Yorkshire. UK

Or Harrogate in North Yorkshire where all the visiting Yanks flock to our World famous Betties Tea Rooms