doug weller

I didn't choose to snip anything, Eric. I simply included the bit I wanted
to reply to. I'm pretty shocked that Daryl used the word *now* that I see
it -- I can't think of any excuse for using racist words here. But I didn't
see it and didn't deliberately snip it. Not that I expect you to believe
anything I write.

Doug

martin reboul

A Cornish flag and two hippies as far as I can see.... but lo, what is that I see
below that... I shall jest get my Ladybird book of runes out and be with you in a
moment...

As I thought, boosted up in Photoshop it is obviously a 14th century Viking
inscription, there can be no doubt. This is very exciting! As far as I can tell
(my old Norse being a little rusty), it says:-

"Too cold in Kensington, so came south and got a bit lost. AVM (NB probably short
for "All Very Mexican"?) food is awful no insect repellent and natives
unfriendly. Left the Goths in Karlev Hornia (possibly 'California'?) they said
they liked the surfing and chickens (chicks?). Tell Pope we will be back to pay
dues by Xmas, still fishing.
PS No mooring holes here, be warned - bring your own drills"

Would that make any sense?
Cheers
Martin

eric stevens

Actually I was surprised you hadn't seen and taken exception to it.
When you consider the origin of 'wog' it wasn't even accurate in the
circumstances.

Eric Stevens

doug weller

If I'd seen it I would have. I spend as little time as possible reading
posts here and am pretty distracted right now by other things.

I'm off to the US in a couple of days -- things are pretty bad there with
my parents.

Doug

tedd jacobs

<snip>

best of luck.

tedd.

icycalmca

<snip>


Doug:
I was trying to parody a post-colonial mentality.
No actual racial offense intended.
Sorry 'bout that.

Daryl Krupa
Genuine, Bona Fide Worker On Government Service

gblack

Take care Doug and my best wishes follow you.....

eric stevens

I was about to offer an alternative but then I thought to look it up:

http://www.wordorigins.org/wordorw.htm
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++
This chiefly British phrase is a holdover from the days of the Empire
and is a disparaging term for an Indian (from India, not America), an
Arab, or any other Asian. More recently, wog has been used to refer to
any foreigner, or even jokingly to anyone outside the greater London
area. The phrase is commonly thought to be an acronym. What the
acronym supposedly stands for, however, varies in the telling:

* Westernized Oriental Gentleman
* Worthy Oriental Gentleman
* Wily Oriental Gentleman
* Wonderful Oriental Gentleman
* Working On Government Service

This last was supposedly emblazoned on the back of shirts worn by Suez
Canal workers. The numerous variations and a total lack of any
evidence to suggest any acronym is the origin lead to the conclusion
that these are not correct etymologies.

While the origin is not known with absolute certainty, most sources
agree that it is likely short for golliwogg, a black faced doll with
frizzy hair. Golliwogg was coined by Bertha Upton in a popular
children's book published in 1895, The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls
and A Golliwogg. By 1907, the golliwogg was in generic use for
anything Asian. Wog is believed to be a clipped form of Golliwogg.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++

I would have picked number 2. Until you mentioned it I had never even
heard of number 5. Isn't it an oxymoron? :-)


Eric Stevens

ken down

Sorry to hear that, Doug. Is it just that they are living in an uncivilised
country or is there something personal wrong, such as illness?

Ken Down

--
__ __ __ __ __
| \ | / __ / __ | |\ | / __ |__ All the latest archaeological news
|__/ | \__/ \__/ | | \| \__/ __| from the Middle East with David Down
================================= and "Digging Up The Past"
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ken down

No, but it made an amusing point.

Ken Down

--
__ __ __ __ __
| \ | / __ / __ | |\ | / __ |__ All the latest archaeological news
|__/ | \__/ \__/ | | \| \__/ __| from the Middle East with David Down
================================= and "Digging Up The Past"
Web site: www.diggingsonline.com
e-mail: diggings@argonet.co.uk