Frog RIP
Oct 31st, 2007, 10:05 AM
#21
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"If English speakers had called them 'toads' even if they ate toads' legs, they might not have liked it as much."
One of my favourite Frog baiting techniques is to refuse to distinguish between frogs and toads, similarly for slugs and snails"
"C'est la même bête!"
Drives em spare!
One of my favourite Frog baiting techniques is to refuse to distinguish between frogs and toads, similarly for slugs and snails"
"C'est la même bête!"
Drives em spare!
Oct 31st, 2007, 11:29 AM
#26
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The story is that the French prior to Agincourt announced that every English (or more likely welsh) archer captured would have the first two fingers of their right hand cut off so they could no longer use the feared English long-bow.
So as a show of defiance the English waved there two fingers in a v-sign to insult the French.
It has no been adopted as the physical way to instruct someone to combine travel with sexual intercourse.
The thing is; sadly, it's complete bollocks. Back then the opposition just killed ordinary soldiers. They ransomed the nobles, but johnny six-meads just got bumped off.
No one actually knows where it comes from.
On frogs:
One possibility for the frogs thing is that paris used to be surrounded by marsh. Thus those sophisticated urban types referred to those beyond the city walls contemptously as "frogs" and it sort of stuck.
Again no one really knows. But we've been calling the frogs frogs since 1415* and we aint about to stop now.
*note to the septics: This doesn't mean a quarter past two!
History's a wonderful thing - you should try it!
So as a show of defiance the English waved there two fingers in a v-sign to insult the French.
It has no been adopted as the physical way to instruct someone to combine travel with sexual intercourse.
The thing is; sadly, it's complete bollocks. Back then the opposition just killed ordinary soldiers. They ransomed the nobles, but johnny six-meads just got bumped off.
No one actually knows where it comes from.
On frogs:
One possibility for the frogs thing is that paris used to be surrounded by marsh. Thus those sophisticated urban types referred to those beyond the city walls contemptously as "frogs" and it sort of stuck.
Again no one really knows. But we've been calling the frogs frogs since 1415* and we aint about to stop now.
*note to the septics: This doesn't mean a quarter past two!
History's a wonderful thing - you should try it!
Oct 31st, 2007, 11:40 AM
#31
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As I indicated in a previous discussion on this very same topic, I cannot speak for French living in France. However, if you ever come to Montreal, Québec or any other city within the province of Québec and call a francophone a "frog", I surely hope you can either
a) run fast; or
b) are able to handle a fight
Honestly, don't even try it as a joke.
a) run fast; or
b) are able to handle a fight
Honestly, don't even try it as a joke.
Oct 31st, 2007, 11:41 AM
#32
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The frog goes back to Clovis ,King of the Franks, who established Paris. It was his royal symbol which evolved into the Fleur de Lys...well that's according to Google.>>>>>
Again it's another good story, and again it's bollocks.
Clovis et al were around in the 500s and the insult isn't that old.
Also the Fleur de Lys is a lily.
No one has the foggiest really.
Again it's another good story, and again it's bollocks.
Clovis et al were around in the 500s and the insult isn't that old.
Also the Fleur de Lys is a lily.
No one has the foggiest really.
Oct 31st, 2007, 11:46 AM
#34
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People in Quebec perhaps suffer from the same pathological hypersensitivity that afflicts so many Americans. The French themselves (the real French, not French-Canadians) don't really care much about being called frogs.
If the French find something objectionable, rest assured, they'll tell you about it. In the meantime, they don't need anyone to defend them from imaginary insults.
If the French find something objectionable, rest assured, they'll tell you about it. In the meantime, they don't need anyone to defend them from imaginary insults.
Oct 31st, 2007, 11:49 AM
#35
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It's not a pathology, Anthony, it's history.
Until de 1970s or so, English speaking people ruled as the leading economic class in Montreal and controled finance and business. It lead to curious situations where, at Eatons' for example, a French employee had to address a French customer in English.
English people used to call us Frogs and it sticked to these days.
So, as I said, I cannot speak for French living in France but don't use it while visiting the province of Québec.
In Toronto, though, they will still find it funny....
Until de 1970s or so, English speaking people ruled as the leading economic class in Montreal and controled finance and business. It lead to curious situations where, at Eatons' for example, a French employee had to address a French customer in English.
English people used to call us Frogs and it sticked to these days.
So, as I said, I cannot speak for French living in France but don't use it while visiting the province of Québec.
In Toronto, though, they will still find it funny....
Oct 31st, 2007, 12:19 PM
#37
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Girlspytravel: "my response is, context is everything". Your "context" is very different from Kerouac's, not "better", not "more informed, not "true", just different. He/she (Kerouac) appears to be comfortable and accepting of this, perhaps you should be as well. Vive la difference!
Oct 31st, 2007, 12:28 PM
#39
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I hear they're hopping mad.
Seriously, if you're going to get upset at every offensive thing the bloody Sassenachs spout out, you're not going to have any time to enjoy yourself. Let the friggin' Poms have their "frogs" and "septics", and smell the roses.
Seriously, if you're going to get upset at every offensive thing the bloody Sassenachs spout out, you're not going to have any time to enjoy yourself. Let the friggin' Poms have their "frogs" and "septics", and smell the roses.
