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cossie
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On fire! |
Location: Exiled in North East Engl...
Registered: July 2003
Messages: 1699
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... and it doesn't always travel well, especially across the Atlantic - and that's true whether travelling from East to West or West to East.
I'm not suggesting that British humour is better than American humour - just that it's different.
One reason for the longevity and success of this forum is the eclectic mix of contributors, young and old, from most parts of the English-speaking world. Yes, there are misunderstandings, and occasionally someone gets temperamental, but it's very much the exception rather than the rule. And, as in any community. you eventually become aware of the - shall we say 'peculiarities'? - of the other contributors.
JFR is incurably pedantic - it must be true, because that's what he told me! - but his pedantry is always delivered with tongue firmly in cheek. I have never, ever, seen him make a post which was intended to be hurtful, but I can see how it might appear so to someone unfamiliar with his humour. Equally, he is well aware that when I post insulting remarks about his pedantry, my tongue is so firmly in my cheek that it sometimes gets stuck in my ear canal. Insulting humour is not an exclusively British institution, but it is much used by Brits. I used it last night when suggesting that Jason had rock between his ears; he knows (or at least I hoper he knows!) that I didn't mean a word of it.
Nigel is a linguist, and his humour is often based upon word play - 'cunning linguist' in a recent post was a classic example. [Note - if anyone didn't get it, I'm not explaining - it's not the sort of word we use on this board!]
Readers will by now have realised that this post is in essence a response to one of Eldon's posts on M's 'I just remembered something' thread. For my part, I am very happy with the contributions of Jonny, Eldon, Curtis and all the other younger posters who have become involved in recent months, and I don't want them to feel the least bit unwelcome. This is, I suppose, a plea for a bit more tolerance and understanding on all sides. I can see where Eldon is coming from [I have 20/20 transatlantic vision] but I don't think he was justified in suggesting that maliciousness plays a part in the responses to which he refers.
I have spent much of my life interpreting legislation and translating it into intelligible (though admittedly British!) English. From this, I have learned the importance of clear and unambiguous communication (so I love using ambiguity to get a laugh) and the value of accuracy. By and large, I don't initiate pedantic exchanges - in fact, I rarely make 'new' posts - but if I see what I regard as a misuse of language in an exisiting exchange, out comes the trusty Shorter Oxford Dictionary, and the gloves are off - but never with the intention to offend, and always with zeal to milk any available humour to the last drop.
So - pretty please! - let's all try to be a touch more tolerant and understanding. I know that American humour is crap, but it's not their fault - it's a legacy inherited from their rebellious ancestors.
Now let's all join together in a stirring rendition of 'Land of Hope and Glory' so we Brits can get nostaslgic about the days when we were top nation.
For a' that an' a' that,
It's comin' yet for a' that,
That man tae man, the worrld o'er
Shall brithers be, for a' that.
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A funny thing, humour ...
By: cossie on Thu, 01 November 2007 03:31 |
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Re: A funny thing, humour ...
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Re: A funny thing, humour ...
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Just by way of clarification ...
By: cossie on Fri, 02 November 2007 01:05 |
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Re: Just by way of clarification ...
By: Nigel on Fri, 02 November 2007 09:07 |
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Re: Just by way of clarification ...
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Re: Just by way of clarification ...
By: marc on Fri, 02 November 2007 17:55 |
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Land of Hope and Glory…
By: Nigel on Thu, 01 November 2007 08:25 |
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Re: A funny thing, humour ...
By: JimB on Thu, 01 November 2007 13:56 |
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